2008 Tacoma one click when trying to start, vehicle starts after several attempts. ***FIXED ***

When I start my truck in the morning over the past week I get one click when trying to start. Releasing the key and attempting to start the truck again the truck will start on the 3rd to 5th try. The rest of the day the truck starts fine this only happens in the morning after the truck sits throughout the night time for approximately 12 hours.

The Tacoma is a 2008 (6cyl) with 65k miles. I replaced the stock battery back in July of 2014 with a Batteries Plus X2 AGM battery.

This is what I have done since the first occurrence:
- Battery clamps are clean and secured to battery post.
- Battery is producing 12.7 volts before starting.
- Had my wife start the vehicle and volts dropped to 11.5 volts when it clicked on first attempt in the morning.
- Had battery, starter, and alternator checked at Batteries Plus and Oriellys and all systems check good.
- Placed Battery Tender on battery over night and received green light stating battery was charged. Vehicle still made one click only on first start attempt and then started on the 3rd attempt (2nd attempt still produced one click).

This problem only happens in the morning time after the vehicle sits for over 12+ hours. I drive it to work and return 10 hours later and vehicle starts normal.

I have researched the forum and the Internet and the information I am finding is for the 1st gen Tacoma and the solenoid and contacts is the culprit.

Any ideas are appreciated and welcomed. I am contemplating buying another battery even though it checks good and when it clicks it only drops to 11.5 volts. Everything I read states you should be concerned if it drops below 10.5 volts when attempting to start.

**UPDATE 10/20/17**
The issue with my Tacoma was the worn contact points of the solenoid inside the starter. I replaced the plunger and the two solenoid contact points and the Tacoma starts with no problems. I replaced the parts several weeks earlier and waited to post my findings in case it did not fix the problem.

Old solenoid contact points:
https://imgur.com/Ph9LDqS
Old solenoid plunger:
https://imgur.com/ZuvdE48
New solenoid contact points and plunger:
https://imgur.com/5MNgEBq
https://imgur.com/8hE5x3q

 

Sounds like the starter contacts might be corroded. You can clean them, replace them or replace the whole starter. Do a search. There are a few write ups I think.

 

Sounds like a shitty starter.

 

replace the battery and go from there.

 

I am in the process of looking for the solenoid contacts and plunger rebuild kit. I am finding the rebuild kit for every Tacoma except the 4.0l engine. I called Toyota and they do not sell the solenoid contacts or plunger separately only MAGNET STARTER SWITCH part number 815031051 at a cost of $143.00. This is the entire solenoid assembly that attaches to the starter. I have found the above mentioned part number on line for $91.00.

If someone can point me in the right direction (please provide web page and part number) it would be greatly appreciated.

 

I had the same problem on my 09 , 78k. Replaced starter contacts and plunger.

 

https://youtu.be/qwokxzjlYcQ

After watching this video I am certain it is going to be the contact points of the solenoid. One other forum member had to change the contact points as early as 43K miles.

 

FYI, the only place I could source the starter contact points and plunger from for a 2008 Tacoma 4.0l was Nations Starter and Alternator. I checked eBay, Amazon, and the Internet and I found the parts for every Toyota except the 2nd gen Tacoma. I will post next week once the parts come in and I change them out. It seems it will be a little bit of a challenge with the removal of the starter since my Tacoma is a 4X4.

 

It was a bit fiddly to get the starter out. I had to use some socket extensions and u-joints in conjunction with an impact wrench. Point of attack was laying down under the driver side door.

 

Sub'd

 

I had the same issue at 33K miles on my Prerunner. Contacts and plunger new from Nations Starter and Alternator 35$ and it is good as new! It isn't really the mileage that matters it is the number of start cycles.

 

My TYC brand starter had been acting up after Harvey. Pulled it apart today and what do you know, one of the contacts was worn unevenly. Shimed it up a tad, and checked over the rest. Resealed, as the o-rings were decrepid. Works good as new now.

 

Just replace the starter instead of trying to clean/fix the solenoids.
It really is easy to replace one in our trucks. Couple of plugs and a couple of bolts, done and done.

 

Hmm. Piece of non conductive shim material, and and hour of time, is a lot cheaper that a new starter. All depends on the situation.

 

So you would rather spend a several hundred dollars ( OEM is even more ) over spending 35 dollars. On top of that a rebuilt starter from an auto parts store is usually garbage.

This is really odd as you have to remove the starter to replace it as well as when repairing the solenoid. Once you have it out it takes 20 to 30 minutes tops to replace the contacts and plunger.

I fail to see the logic here. I think it is flawed.

 

Why not just buy a new starter, rob the parts out of it that you need and return it. Since Tacomaworld seems to think the cheapest option is the best.

 

I don't know man, if a starter goes out at 33k , sounds like it's garbage to me.....

for me I wouldn't want to have to tinker with it just to have it go out again in a few thousand miles, just replace with a new one ( not remanufactured ) and be done with it.

 

Spock agrees. Live long and prosper.

 

Well in this case, should it be a new vehicle, it might be covered under warranty.

 

My truck is a MMVI. When my original starter had issues, and I pulled it apart, I noticed that the armature had only two brush riggings. That area was caked full of moist silt, creating a shorting issue. Did a lot of muddy water crossings back then.

This current TYC starter is a brand new unit. In comparison, it has 4 brushes/riggings. Makes me wonder if the OEM Denso starters have been updated.

Another note, is that its construction is measurably lower than a Denso. As I have a ugly weathered spare, which is still in better shape. Lol. (Symptom of multiple engines.)