*help* Starting problems with my 04

Alrighty so my 04 will rarely start on the first key turn. in an event when my truck will NOT start:

On the first turn it will usually just click. i will hear the starter click.

the second turn of the key it may just click again.

on the third turn it may hesitate to start and will perform a half ass turn over.

on the fourth turn it usually starts.

SOMETIMES it will start on the first try.


It does this issue te most when it is really cold outside OR if i just went offroading and there is a little bit of dirt or mud in he engine. I DO NO GO MUD BOGGING. it starts the best when it is warm outside or my truck engine is already warmed up


if i turn the key slowly it will have no hope of starting at all usually.
i have to turn it pretty quick to get any sort of reaction

 

How long since you replaced your battery? I've had cars in the past that have a hard time starting in the cold weather due to old battery but yours sounds more like a starter issue.

 

the battery is relativley new... my lights work fine. so i dont think it is the battery

 

I think your local parts store might be able to test your starter and alternator for you.

 

Sounds like the plunger in the starter is bad. You can rebuild it for $20 or so.

 

what is a plunger?

 

I'm not trying to be crass, but do you park your truck with the wheels cranked to the left or right?

I've noticed if I leave my truck parked with the wheels turned, I have to jiggle my steering wheel to get it to start. So now I rarely park without the wheels being straight. It seems like that by having the steering column in a bind, it affects a connection with the ignition...I don't know, weird.

Just a thought...

 

just go get the battery tested its the easiest thing to start with.

 

Battery tested 1st if its good then, alternator tested if its good then test the starter.

 

naw i park with the wheels straight

will do

will do.

thanks yall for the feed back

 

One other thing:

I believe I've read that the reliability of Toyota starters is really good. Before replacing, double-check that your contacts on the starter are not corroded or dull. I've heard that you can polish them up, put some dielectric on them, and be good to go.

 

ill check the battery regardless if the issue is persistant but im almost 90% sure both my battery and starter and alternator are working fine.

the battery is not even a year old.

the alternator is a year old

and the starter is the least likely of all because my truck is ticking when cranked

 

sounds like your battery, clicks always mean battery problem

 

Ok, my understanding of the starter is that because it has such a large current draw when in starting mode that a normal switch (or solenoid) would easily burn out after a few uses so, they put in a heavy duty switch (solenoid). Even this heavy duty switch will have the internal contacts breakdown after years of service. The copper contacts becomes pitted and burnt due to the amount of electricity flowing thru them. When this pitted, the electricity has a hard time finding a path to travel thru consequently, the contact is made but no juice flows. This contact is the clicking sound you hear. The contacts are joining (the click) but they are too corroded to allow the electricity to get to the starter motor. Solution...take the solenoid (switch) apart and check the internal contacts. Clean contacts if appropriate, replace if too badly damaged. Re-install and test.

Nonetheless.... check the battery first. Sometimes the battery and the cable connectors allows enough juice thru to light up the headlights, etc. just fine, but won't allow enough juice thru to make the starter work. Sometimes it's the battery, sometimes it's corrosion between the battery cables and battery.

 

my truck has been doing the exact same thing it will sometime click a few times. almost crank and then hearing a loud screaching sound then it will sart the next time. ive check my battery and it seems to be fine. i believe it is the starter