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Replaced starter, still just clicks, doesn't spin

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by FishLorax, Oct 28, 2014.

  1. Oct 28, 2014 at 12:52 PM
    #1
    FishLorax

    FishLorax [OP] Member

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    Just bought another yota after my frame rusted out on my '89. I now have a '95 tacoma v6 auto. This truck sat for a year and a friend now sold it to me. We apparently mis-diagnosed the "starter problem". He had moved it recently and it started fine. A few weeks later it wouldn't start when he tried it again. Just 1 click from the starter. So I replaced the starter with a brand new one instead of replacing the contacts. Put the new one in and still only clicks. Tried 2 different fully charged batteries. Inspected the battery cables up top a little bit. What should I look for? Anyone have an idea what would cause this?
     
  2. Oct 28, 2014 at 1:55 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Check for corrosion on the cable ends. Clean them really good.
     
  3. Oct 28, 2014 at 2:31 PM
    #3
    Lester Lugnut

    Lester Lugnut Well-Known Member

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    A good suggestion, but if that doesn't work, load test the battery. Age of the battery means nothing.
     
  4. Oct 28, 2014 at 3:54 PM
    #4
    FishLorax

    FishLorax [OP] Member

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    Ok. Thanks. I'm gonna borrow a voltmeter and do some deeper investigation and clean connections. I switched the battery with the one in my Subaru and it did the same thing, and the truck battery started the Subaru perfectly.
     
  5. Oct 28, 2014 at 8:17 PM
    #5
    Lester Lugnut

    Lester Lugnut Well-Known Member

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    You can do a lot of things with a voltmeter that could be helpful in your case.

    If you are going to use it to check battery voltage - Open Circuit Voltage - OCV test - that will not help with knowing the batteries load potential.

    Only a battery load tester will do that.

    I've seen batteries read 12.70 and better and flunk a load test.
     
  6. Oct 30, 2014 at 7:32 AM
    #6
    FishLorax

    FishLorax [OP] Member

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    Cleaned the contacts at the battery, and checked a lot of things with that voltmeter. I had 12.7 at the battery. 12.7 at the fuse box. 12.7 at the starter. While holding the key in the start position the voltage drops out at the starter. tried jumping it from another car, and tried grounding it from the block to chassis with jumper cables. Tried the remote start. All with the same end result...just the loud click of the bendix engaging, no spin. Tried turning the engine over by hand, just out of curiosity, turns over fine.
     
  7. Oct 30, 2014 at 8:35 PM
    #7
    o0oSHADOWo0o

    o0oSHADOWo0o Just lurking in the darkness

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    Well that eliminates the battery.

    Make sure your starter has a good ground. The engine block should be grounded to the body/frame/negative battery terminal.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2014
  8. Oct 30, 2014 at 8:43 PM
    #8
    TXpro4X4

    TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

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    I know this is a shot in the dark but even if he's replaced the starter and the voltage meter says whatever it could still be a dead battery and he doesn't have the cranking amps necessary to turn the starter?
     
  9. Oct 30, 2014 at 8:59 PM
    #9
    o0oSHADOWo0o

    o0oSHADOWo0o Just lurking in the darkness

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    True, but the OP says he switched batteries with another vehicle. The other vehicle started with the Tacoma's battery. but the Tacoma still didn't start with either battery.

     
  10. Oct 30, 2014 at 9:17 PM
    #10
    skynet

    skynet Well-Known Member

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    I would check the new starter more likely then not you have a bad starter still. Working at an unnnamed auto parts store for a couple years I've seen my share of "brand new" starters not work most of the time its the ones that come with those life time warrantys...
     
  11. Oct 31, 2014 at 7:24 AM
    #11
    TXpro4X4

    TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

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    Danm missed that
     
  12. Oct 31, 2014 at 7:38 AM
    #12
    Alby9999

    Alby9999 Well-Known Member

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    you can hot wire the starter to the battery outside the truck. That'll tell you the starter is good. shorting the terminals on the starter while in the truck will tell you if you have a bad ignition switch.
     
  13. Nov 21, 2014 at 11:23 AM
    #13
    FishLorax

    FishLorax [OP] Member

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    Thanks for all of your help. I've been very busy and haven't had a chance to work on the truck until today. I installed a new cable from battery to starter, and to fuse box. The Tacoma started right up! Thanks again for all of your advice.
     
  14. Nov 21, 2014 at 4:22 PM
    #14
    TXpro4X4

    TXpro4X4 Fuck Cancer!

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    Awesome
     
  15. Nov 21, 2014 at 6:04 PM
    #15
    o0oSHADOWo0o

    o0oSHADOWo0o Just lurking in the darkness

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    Glad you finally got it up and running and glad we could help! :)
     

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