Starter sometimes won't turn over now

Innova
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Joined 20 m ago
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Discussion Starter • #1 • a moment ago
2003 2WD, Basic model. More and more frequently I have to either rock the truck forward a bit or put it in gear to get the starter to turn over. When I do that, it turns over fine, no clicking or anything. This used to happen once in a blue moon, but now happens almost every other day it seems. I usually keep it in gear when parked. Then I put it in neutral and it won't turn over. Then I put it in first gear and it'll start. Other times this won't work so I open the door and use my foot to move the truck an inch or two in first gear, then let out the clutch and try again and it turns over. I first thought it was just the starter gear teeth getting stuck in a once in 1000 times thingy. Now it's happening more frequently. What do you suppose causes this and is it an easy or not too costly a fix? 96,000 miles.

 

What is not turning over? Starter motor or the engine?

 

Sorry about being vague. The stater motor isn't turning over the engine. Engine is fine.

 

Look up "Starter Contacts" on here.

 

No click click click. It either works great or doesn't unless I nudge the truck forward or gimmy with the stick shift by putting it in gear.
Wouldn't that mean a bad solenoid as to how the gears mesh up to the flywheel?

Would it be bad contacts with my doing what I do to get it to turn the engine over?

When I say I have to rock the truck a little, I mean it can move a fraction of an inch and that does the trick. Sometimes just putting it in gear from neutral does the trick.

I'm asking what am I doing that makes it work correctly? And what is the cause?

 

Try using the broomstick end or rubber mallit and hit it on the starter. Its old school but if that loosens up the starter and it works you need a new starter.

 

No "click" means the solenoid is not launching the contacts. Now no launching could mean bad contacts at solenoid or the contacts are binding. Either way the best test is like mentioned above, hit the starter with a stick and if it helps, you are going to rebuild or replace the starter.
But it could also mean that maybe the connector for solenoid power is loose and needs a little vibration to start conducting current. It is also worth to check.

 

The fact your not getting the clicking it works or it does not.

Leads me to your pushing the clutch pedal in different at times.

Sometimes your not closing the clutch safety switch other times you do then things work as they should .

With my Big Wide Feet it happened often to that switch was bypassed .

 

That's very good idea. I missed that completly but should be the first to check.

 

I used to do this in an old Volvo I had. I would keep it in gear and try to roll the car. If that didn't work, tapping the starter would allow it to start.

I ended up replacing the starter, but it's usually caused by wear on the contacts. They wear down to a point where there is a small spot that doesn't contact anymore. Turning the starter just a tiny bit lets it make contact again, and completes the circuit.

 

Google starter alternator repair shop near you . Might be able to rebuild it fairly inexpensive .

 

I'll google what you suggested. One minor point is that it has yet to occur when starting it up after sitting overnight. It's after driving to the store or somewhere that it occurs. I'm usually not paying close attention as I just want to get it started. So I try this and that. Messing around with the stickshift and clutch I get it to turn over, other times not. That's when I open my door and try and nudge the truck a little with my foot to get it to work. I'm not sure if moving the truck a little or my monkeying around with the stickshift gets it to start, but it starts eventually after doing these things. Replacing the starter would probably work. I'd just hate to have it occur afterwards.

 

So you ask for help at the same time refusing to do proper diagnostics? That's not fair. I would never recomend to just throw parts in hoping it will fix the problem.

Clutch switch test is super easy and can be done at grocery parking lot. If you can start the truck using clutch override switch, that it is it. Bumping a starter is also easier than it sounds.

 

My bad maybe. I didn't mean to ask whether I should blow my nose with my right hand or my left.

"Clutch switch test is super easy and can be done at grocery parking lot. If you can start the truck using clutch override switch, that it is it. Bumping a starter is also easier than it sounds".

Did you go over that already? Anyways...thanks all here for the possibilities.

Sorry if it appears I'm wasting bandwidth.

What I would like to happen is to pull into a shop dealing with problems like this (after driving awhile) and have it not crank. That would be awesome. So many times a shop or dealership needs or wants to duplicate the situation.

 

I see you are unable for some reason to trouble shoot the problems.

Then hope to have it fail at the shop of your choice so they can figure it out??

When there diagnosis is replace the complete cranking circuit your good with that then??

 

Some people just aren't willing to listen and think they're situation is extra special and specific to them, and they want to just tell us about their issue. It's a weird phenomenon that I've only recently started noticing but has likely existed for millenia

Just kidding, OP.
OP, you do have plenty of troubleshooting steps on this thread and if you search you will find all the threads with starting issues will have the same tips you find here. It's because we've gotten damn good at internet diagnostics here.

 

Next time try pressing the clutch override switch (lower left of steering wheel) while turning the key to Start. See what happens. If the starter then turns over, there probably is something out of adjustment with the clutch switch.

 

Had a similar failure with my 2009 civic. New starter solved it, although the service writer was understandably reluctant to guarantee it was a bad starter prior to doing the work.

OP, given the age of the truck and the symptoms, a bad starter is plausible. Try the diagnostics mentioned already to narrow it down, but you should also recognize that diagnosis can sometimes only give a probable cause (there are no guarantees in life).

 

Put it in gear and turn key
No starter spin?
You may have a clutch switch
Or the deluxe model
With clutch override switch
AND






















You must always blow your nose using BOTH HANDS

 

Did anyone here mention this???? If so, you may be onto something. This sounds a lot like what is happening with my 2003 Tacoma 2WD 5 speed. Especially since I mentioned I never have this intermittent starter problem overnight, only after having driven for a number of miles. Now that I found this article, I at least can relate the below when I bring it in to an alternator/starter motor specialist. I'm doing that this week for sure. Will keep you updated. And, thanks to all here for hanging with me about this. I've got a super tight budget at the moment and was hoping for the least expensive remedy.

3. Intermittent issues starting the vehicle
If the starter relay is working properly, it will send power to the starter every time it is engaged. However, it is possible that the starter relay will become damaged due to excessive heat, dirt, and debris or other issues that might cause sporadic operation of the starter. If you try to start your car and the starter doesn't activate instantly, but you turn the key switch once again and it works, this is most likely due to a problem with the relay. In this case, it's important that you contact a mechanic as soon as possible so they can determine what is causing the intermittent contact