starter problems

intermittently, my starter will just click when I try to start it. I have to turn the key at least 10 times in order for the motor to turn over and start. sometimes when the motor is turning over, right when it is almost started, the starter quits turning. then I have to turn the key on again several more times for it to start. If I'm not being descriptive enough fellas just let me know. to add to the "starting" issues, three or four times my starter has "hanged up". In other words the engine cranked up and the starter kept on running. I tried to turn the key on and off repeatedly and it still wouldn't cut off. I then had to bang on the outside of the starter housing in order for it to stop running. Is this a bad starter or should I just buy a rebuild kit?

 

Hey bud, I have a 97 Taco and the starters are pretty much bullet proof. Their are some contacts inside the starter (little copper contacts). If you take your starter off and replace them then that should get rid of your "clicking" if not then that's your solenoid. As for it not wanting to disengage well put a new Bendix on it when you have it off, that's the part that spools up. And for the contacts stop by your local John Deere dealer and ask for the ones off of a John Deere 870, they will fit but are a little larger and won't wear so much.

 

Overall price of the JD contacts should be under $10 and be in stock.

 

If it's not the starter then it's most likely the battery. If you've had your current battery for 4 or more years then it's time to get a new one.

 

agreed. just recently my truck would only click when i turned it over, my automatic guess was the starter is no good. after several cycles the engine started.

did the click thing for about a month or so, then all of a sudden that battery took a crap. nothing, dead. had to push start because a jump start wouldn't even work. replaced the battery and no more click.......

 

Hey Offroad TRD I had the same problem with my 03 Taco.. turned out to be a bad solenoid on the starter, Toyota replaced it under the warranty but took 2 days to get starter from CA none in my area, they paid for the rental car.

 

Just found this thread and have been having the same exact problem. I would turn the key like 15 time with just a click then on the 16 turn it would start up. Sometimes it would also not turn off! I could turn the key off and the truck would still be trying to start. Anyways I replaced the starter after realizing my battery is fine. Brand new starter and it has stayed engaged twice after then engine has started and it is obviously making a horrible noise and have to shut it off.. Did I get a bad starter or could it be and ignition switch problem? HELP!

 

Yeah, sounds like the 'starter switch', which is at the end of the ignition key cylinder. It must be sticking in the 'start' position. Not to hard to replace. New ones are on Rockauto.

You could also bypass that switch altogether and wire up and install a separate cranking push-button.

 

Thanks man I will check that switch out.

 

Most likely are open or sticking contacts in the starter solenoid or starter switch.

 

Just replaced the contacts on my 99... Here is new vs old

 

That old contact still has plenty of wear on it, but just gummed up. I'd clean it up and carry that as a trail spare.

When I replaced mine, the wear 'shelf' was paper-thin, and couldn't carry the current.

 

I have been having similar issues on my 1st gen.
After a night of some rather aggressive dirt road driving, the next morning, nothing but a series of loud clicks when I tried starting it. I gave up for a while, tried again and it finally started. It continued to run fine for 2 weeks. Then last week after a large rain storm, the same thing, except this time it never turned over. I was all ready to replace the contacts on the starter when I decided to start at the battery and work my way down.
When I finally got to it and tried to start it, absolutely nothing, no clicks no lights, just dead.
I removed the power connectors from the battery and hooked my charger directly to the battery terminals. To my surprise the battery was at 12+ volts and 80% charge.
I scrubbed down the battery terminals and scrubbed the power connectors, securely connected them and it started on the first crank.
The lack of electrical signal may be from the battery as well as the starter contacts. I believe the connectors probably came loose from the continuous hitting of washboard roads and finally corrosion brought on by moisture from the rains.
If it happens again, I'll move on to the starter contacts.

 

x2
I had the clicking problem and it turned out to be the copper contacts were completely melted. try that first!