It goes click and then doesn't start...

Ok, so my truck was doing the "click" and not starting thing. Did some research and it sounded like the starter was worn out. So, I bought and installed a new starter. Problem, the other day the same thing happened again. I did check all the connections when I put the new starter in, and none of them are loose or anything...

My brother suggested a worn out clutch sensor, but if that was the case I would expect the same symptoms with the clutch not pushed in at all. Now, of course it doesn't start without the clutch pushed in. However, it also doesn't click.

Ideas/suggestions?

1998 2.7l 4wd, 5sp manual

EDIT: Solved. Replacing the ground fixed the issue.

 

Have the battery tested? Does it start with a jump? We have an old 86 toyota at work that will do this when the battery is run down or needs to be replaced.

You can also check battery voltage at the starter main cable with someone else holding the key in the start position. If you have a bad cable or connection, that would be a way of finding it.

Edit: Are you sure it's the starter that's clicking? There is a relay somewhere I believe. You should have positive 12 volts at the small wire on the starter with the key in start.

 

Sorry, I guess I should have given a little more info. I can start my truck. If I rock it back a forth a few times when it does this. This is only a problem about 1/20 times I try to start it.

I can check the battery, but since it does actually start I don't think that's the problem. I'll try checking the lines and relay like you suggested next weekend and see what I find.

 

first thing that popped in my head was the alternator

 

maybe its just the starter.. where did you get it from?

 

http://www.mean-green.com/
I don't really think so though, the problem predates the new starter.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the alternator was bad wouldn't I just end up with a dead battery after starting it the first time?

EDIT: On the other hand, I can use this as an excuse to buy the high output alternator I want...

 

yes, but from your first post it sounds like your car isnt starting at all

 

Check some of the 'ground' wires that may be connected to the engine block or other major areas. These will probably be BIG fat black wires similar in size to the cable on the battery.

 

Yeah, it sounds like your starter solenoid is trying to engage the Bendix gear, but does not have quite enough power to force its way in if the gears don't mesh exactly. Clean the battery terminals, make sure they're tight and check your grounds. Load testing the battery would be a good idea too.

 

When you have this failure can you hear the starter motor run?
By rocking the truck in gear your are turning the engine a little so the starter can engage the teeth on the flywheel. You might be missing some teeth on the flywheel.

 

When I have this issue the only sound I'm getting is the "click". No starter motor running.

I found and replaced a definitely faulty ground wire running from the engine to the body. Since this is so intermittent of an issue I do not know yet if this fixed it.

Thanks for the feedback everybody. If the new ground doesn't fix the problem I have some other things to look for. I'll post back in a couple weeks and let you all know if that was the problem. Since this is happening only once or twice a week it will take me 2 to be sure if that was it.

 

Tell me about this "new" starter? If it's a rebuilt, then who knows what you actually have. If it were me, I would pull it out and take a look at the solenoid contacts. Very common issue on nippondenso starters.

 

It's a gear reduction starter from mean green. http://www.mean-green.com/ It is actually new, not rebuilt.

 

Maybe you are hearing a relay click and not the starter itself? Not sure of the exact layout on these trucks, the old toyota trucks had a relay mounted on the fender that would click pretty loud even with the starter itself disconnected. It could be that you have a worn ignition switch or relay that is not giving high enough voltage to the starter itself to engage the starter.

Not sure how comfortable you are with wiring, but you might consider wiring in another relay. You could use the existing small wire going to the starter to activate the coil of the new relay. Then run a dedicated wire from the battery through a fuse, through the new relay and down to the starter itself. The new relay only takes a little bit of power to activate and should not be a problem to turn on with a marginal factory switch, relay or wiring. Just an idea, I have seen it done on other vehicles to solve similar issues. Can't really explain why rocking the truck will cause it to start.

 

starter it happened to me once! click and nothing, but if you keep on doing it over and over you might get lucky

 

yeah sounds like the starter ... are u sure its bolted in tight ? and its meshing with the flywheel ?

 

same thing just happen to my moms 03 4runner the otherday. the connection on the negative terminal of the battery was a little bit to loose. put some baking soda on it to clean it then squished it with a pair of channel locks to give it a 0 shape isntead of a O shape. gave it a tighter connection and it started right up

 

clean your battery terminals and connections, MY bet is that your not getting enough power from the battery, due to a shitty connection.

also, follow the battery cables and make sure everything is snug.

also, try to start it, if it clicks, go pull the battery cables (ground and hot) in some random directions and see if anything changes. this is happening with my mustang too, and seems to be the issue

 

I was going to wait longer to update this, but since it floated to the top...

After replacing the faulty ground I haven't had the problem again. Since this is only an issue once or twice a week it hasn't been long enough for me to be sure, but I do think that was it.

I replaced the battery terminals with good brass ones when I got the truck almost a year ago. I'd already checked the connections between the battery and the starter, as well as the battery connections themselves.

 

mine was doing that last week it turned out to be the starter sillinoid i took it to a local shop and it cost me 35 bucks (sorry for the bad spelling)