Not starting

I agree, at some point, it needs to be properly diagnosed, as throwing parts at will get expensive.

 

Went back to the dealership today, they now admit that it's not the starter. I am now thinking they pinched a wire during the frame replacement. I replaced the ground wire months ago, it has started once in a while. They said it was an aftermarket starter, I started with a denso (OEM). The previous service manager is gone, new one seems to be a bit more reasonable. I'm not paying them a dime till they fix it, I don't think this is a 1 off thing.

 

Did the dealership offer to look at it (again)?

 

Am taking it in first thing in the morning. They admit it's not the starter. New service manager. I'm guessing they missed something during the frame replacement. Last service manager just got nasty, the dealership COULD NOT BE AT FAULT! This one is willing to look at it after he had to tap it so I could drive home. I normally work on it with a friend who's a mechanic.

 

That’s good.
Just be aware that the problem will be easier to diagnose when the truck DOESN’T start.
So give the tech some time to get the truck to act up.
I know, it sucks. But it’s hard fo find a problem when it “isn’t there”.

Keep us updated. Hopefully it’s no big deal and you get the truck back soon.

 

If you have to Tap the starter…. its either bad or something attached to it is bad.

 

loose connection power or neg, crappy non OEM starter, ignition switch contacts. in that order

 

Well we have never been given the complete story, just bits and pieces and the poster is not a mechanic. Replacing a frame pinched a wire and it took a year to show up?? Wiring is usually in wrapped bundles, regardless its easy enough when its on a lift to Insp. Battery grounds to the frame and to the motor and where else on a Tacoma? A good visual Insp will find out.

 

I was in transportation, so my general go to mechanic was my shop guy, hell of a lot cheaper than the dealer. & very good. I have kept up on preventive maintenance with 0 problems for 10 years. Toyota recalled the truck for the frame, 4 months later I got it back. 12 months later the gremlins started. Weak start, replaced battery, then starter. seemed to cure it, then it got worse. NO start. Mess with connections, replaced positive terminal. It would start intermittently. Replaced the battery harness. NOT it. Took it to the dealer, they said it was not the ignition, but the safety switch on the clutch. Replaced. Dealer had to tap the starter to start it. It is going back in the morning. Even the dealership is clueless. I miss my pre 70's cars!

 

Having to tap the starter is pretty much telling you the starter is no good. I lost track, all 3 starters were oem or aftermarket? When the battery terminal was replaced was it a cheap crappy one?

Why does it need to be tapped to start? Since it’s going back to the dealership, I would ask for the starter to be bench tested repeatedly.

A starter needs power and ground. So I would check continuity between the negative battery terminal and starter body. Then test for power at the starter trigger wire. Then check that that wire connects good with the starter. If it’s a spade connector, does it wiggle easily once connected?

Multimeter set to dc volts, ground to starter body, positive probe to the starter trigger close to the starter as possible, turn the key, you should get battery voltage. If you do get voltage, and your absolutely certain it passed bench testing and your certain ground is connected to the starter not anywhere else and it doesn’t crank, time to think deeper.

 

Starter / Solenoid.

 

When you say "won't start" are you saying won't crank, as the starter does not work? Won't start to a mechanic means a lot of things. If replacing the starter and it works, that means the old starter or something in that area is bad. Simple. You can see pinched wires, you can see or tighten loose connections. Taping the starter and it works means the starter is bad OR Something close by is the problem. Replacing the frame a year ago, more than likely has zero to do with your problem.

The old starter if its been replaced for Not Working should be torn apart on the work bench to see Why it Failed. Otherwise this will go on forever.

 

That alone is contradictory.

If there is NO (your emphasis) power to the starter, rapping the starter will have no result.

 

He has Never checked the power to the starter so that statement I agree makes no sense. Tapping the starter means either the brushes are stuck or the commutator on the armature is dirty or defective. Tear down Insp is the only logical thing to do IF indeed the starter is the issue.

 

There's a new service manager at the local dealership. He's seen the problem first hand. The truck is now there.

 

Regardless,
A. If a new starter fixes
B How long does it last?
C. Bench test and teardown of the failed starter to see If it has Failed
D. Find out why it Failed.
E. If it did not fail then do the vehicle troubleshooting.

I was a Air Craft Electrician and worked on Reciprocating as well as Jet engine air craft. Been working as a electrician since 1962. It was not my favorite job but I have repaired loads of military air craft starters.

 

i vote solenoid as well. but it alarms that the shop mechanic didnt check this..so maybe it isnt the solenoid. i am gonna go out and hug my truck now.

 

I'm %100 that it's not the starter, I'm not a mechanic, solenoid? Maybe, But this issue has the dealership people stumped! I am willing to bet it's something stupid simple. It started & drove to the dealer this morning no problem. Would not start last night without a very small tap. As I've said before the battery is good, replaced the battery harness, checked the ground, dealer says ignition is ok, replaced the clutch safety switch. If nothing else I met a few more taco heads at the dealer, so once this is resolved I'll finish the project(14 years so far) & head for the trails. Always did want to see Moab. For now pine barrens will have to do.

 

& in advance thank you for everyone's advice!

 

you better come back and tell us what it was