98 2.7 won't crank!

Hey guys.. just looking for some opinions...

I have a 98 tacoma, 2.7 / 5 speed. 190K.

When I try to start it, all I hear is a click coming from the driver's side fender well along with what sounds like the fuel pump spooling up. All electrical systems seem normal, the truck will roll start and drive fine.


Won't crank with clutch start cancel switch on.

Won't crank with jumper box

Replaced the starter and still all I get is Click.. ( original starter turned out to be good when hooked to a battery)

Tomorrow I plan to check and see if there is any juice coming to the solenoid wire, I'm kind of stumped at this point.

Input/ Advice?

Thanks,
Neil

 

Is the starter clicking? Or something else. If it is, try a new battery. Check fuses.

 

^ I don't think the starter is clicking. It's some relay in the driver's side fender.

I haven't seen any fuses blown... is there an external starter relay?

 

I believe there is a starter relay in the main fuse/relay box under the hood. Maybe that's what you hear clicking? It could be bad.

Also check all the engine and battery grounds and check the heavy starter cable to the battery. Any loose cables would result in a starter that clicks and won't crank.

When you jump start a vehicle, the jumper cable ends really have to be dug into the battery terminals a bit for good contact. I've had friends who tried to jump a vehicle and failed because they were trying not to gouge their battery cable ends by getting the jumpers on too tight.

 

^ thanks for the quick responses guys!

I really need to fix it soon so I can get to work! I got an 03 Cobra, but we're having some rough weather and I really don't want to get stuck driving it!

 

If you have not done so yet, clean both positive and negative battery terminals and clamps. A little corosion can act this way.

 

A quick way to narrow it down is to remove the small wire from the starter, crimp a standard 1/4 inch female spade terminal onto a piece of scrap wire, and push the spade terminal onto the connection where the small wire was connected. If you then touch the other end of that scrap piece of wire to the positive battery terminal, the starter should crank the engine over. If not, you have a battery, starter, or cable issue. If it does crank over, the problem is between the ignition key and the starter (relay, wiring, alarm system, etc.).

If you chose to do this, be aware that the transmission has to be in neutral, and you have to be clear of all moving parts when you touch that wire to the battery. Otherwise, bad things will happen.