Won't Start, but get a single click each time

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K

Kigiin

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Replaced started contacts about 85K miles ago. Several weeks ago I had to turn the key several times to get it to start, since then no problem - until today.

When I turn the key, i get a single click and that's it - no more clicks and doesn't turn over.

If it's starter contacts, it's different than last time when it took months to completely fail.

Battery is only 2-3 years old.

Thoughts?

edit - waited five minutes and it started on first turn - looks like starter contacts again!!!!! Really don't want to spend $650, but don't think I have time or skill to do myself.
 
I know it sounds like a no brainer, but did you check your battery cables? Sounds like an issue I had with another vehicle and a loose/deteriorating alternator and battery cable.
 
^ this. However assuming no cable/battery terminal/battery charge issue its the starter. FWIW I only got ~75k miles out of my previous Toyota replacement starter :rolleyes:.
 
ya I'd agree with starter contacts. I dealt with this not too long ago. I had all sorts of trouble... I stripped an intake manifold stud, couldn't get the new start contacts to work... I ended up getting a reman'd starter from O'reilly for $70. If I had done that in the first place it would have only taken about 3-4hrs. It's really not overly difficult, I consider myself a 2 banana mechanic. it's about 10 bolts and a bunch of plugs and hoses. torque on the manifold bolts is only 13ft-lbs fyi :)
 
I'll check connections - do recall the negative battery cable being loose a while ago.

Question - I am close to another 90K service, notably timing belt, etc. Would doing this at the same time as starter contacts be cheaper, labor wise?
 
^ +1 on checking the cables and connections. Pull each connection off and clean them up to bright metal. Use silicone grease for protection after then are back on.

If your battery has been low then this puts an extra load on the starter contacts [low volts = higher starter current]. Its possible that the contacts are going again after 85K miles. Replacement is not skill intensive or tricky. Reaching the starter bolts involves climbing into the engine bay, but otherwise I agree its a two banana job if you read the threads and take your time.
 
Rob, the only duplication of the 90k PM and the starter R&R is mainly the coolant drain out...and R&R of the engine cover if you're still running with it...
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
You have to drain the coolant to replace the starter... I obviously didn't read your starter replacement thread all the way though.
Click to expand...

there is a coolant hose that runs through the throttle body so I guess that's the reason. I didn't unhook the hoses, just moved it out of the way.
 
Must admit I didn't drain the coolant when replacing the starter. That coolant hose can be moved out of the way easily. Zip ties are handy for holding things out of the way, but don't forget to remove before replacing the inlet manifold.
 
With my XL mitts I found it much easier to access the starter mounting bolts with the rear coolant crossover removed. YMMV.
 
Thanks for the help and advice.

Going to check connections but I don't trust my-lack-of-attention-to-detail self to replace the contacts - everything that takes a normal man/woman one hour takes me three hours. A man has to know his limitations.
 
Did you check if your battery is dead?

Sent from my droid
 
If you're recalling your negative battery cable being loose, there's a pretty high likeliness that it is the cable. Baking soda mixed in water and a toothbrush are great for cleaning the terminals, then as other have said, use some terminal grease to preserve the connection.

How are the rest of the electronics functioning, like the windows, etc? If all else is working as normal than it is probably the starter contacts.
 
All the connections are tight and clean. Truck started right up this morning. The battery seems fine as everything else works.

After 170K miles should I just replace the entire starter?
 
Classic starter failing symptoms Rob. Its not about the miles but the # of starts/arcs across the starter's contacts BTW. Mine did exactly the same thing a little more than 2-years ago out in the middle of nowhere Nevada on one of our Explore Nevada trips...not the best feeling I'll tell ya. But once we got it to fire it never missed a beat for the next month until I had time to replace the starter.

Think of it as an early warning system. I suggest replacing it sooner rather than later for reliability sake. Or keep your AAA card handy for a possible tow ;)
 
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Thanks Dan.

I just checked my records. At 93K miles the entire starter was replaced, not just the contacts - not sure what I was thinking then, but apparently I wasn't. So just going to replace the contacts this time.
 
If you're not providing your own labor and instead paying a mechanic to do the job it might not be cost effective to replace just the contacts...

FWIW: As much as I like to believe OEM Toyota parts are the way to go most often, I won't buy another starter from Toyota as they're remanufactured units, not brand new. And all the reman starters are rebuilt by the same handful of rebuilders that do this work for all the parts houses including Toyota anyway...so my next one will be from a local parts house with a lifetime warranty.
 
pegasis0066 said:
Does that lifetime warranty cover the starter contacts? I would assume so?
Click to expand...

Even within "Lifetime Warranty" the terms vary and also will vary according to the state you live in. Some specifically exclude "wear" and some don't. I've always had good service on lifetime warranty parts from suppliers like NAPA, O'Reilly/Kragen, Advance...regardless.

If Toyota offered new starters I'd go that way...they seem to last 1.5-2X as long as any rebuilt starter I've used so far. Not sure why that would be...but it seems to be the typical experience with most LC owners.
 
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