No Crank No start

Hello! Want to pick everyone’s brain real quick. Woke up this morning and went to start my truck and it wouldn’t start (one click, no attempt to turnover, all lights on dash show up fine/radio turned on). Tried it a few times with nothing. Replaced the battery with a brand new one and nothing. Read on the forums to try and start in neutral. Did that and it fired right up. Put the truck in park and let it idle. Shut it off then tried to start it in N and got nothing. Turned it back off then tried it in P and it fired right up. Drove it for 15 min around the block then turned it off. Started it in P and it fired up. What is the cause of it? I’m thinking it’s the neutral safety switch but not 100% sure. Maybe it’s the starter and the gear it’s started in is just coincidence. This is an auto truck.

 

Sounds like it could be the transmission range switch or the starter, next time it doesn't start try moving the shifter while holding the key in the crank position.

 

Yeah I’m leaning towards the NSS. It’s weird that it doesn’t struggle to crank when it doesn’t want to start it just doesn’t do anything.

 

Let me try my best couch mechanic diagnosis by telling a story. My buddies Impala wouldn't start, it was about 12 years old with only 60k miles. I help him out and change out the starter, get everything hooked up and it still wouldn't start. Double checked connections, all good, so wtf... Found a ground wire with corrosion on it. Cleaned it off, reconnected it and bam, she starts. Moral of the story? Check connections for bad corrosion, can certainly cause intermittent issues.

Will this fix it? Maybe, maybe not but I got my mechanic certifications from Bobs Furniture so I'm pretty much an expert.

 

Checking the battery terminals and posts is a good place to begin, use a battery brush.

When my Tacoma was having an intermittent no start, no crank, it was the clutch pedal switch, AND the starter solenoid contacts.

Yours doesn’t have that clutch pedal switch, it might be the nss, battery terminals and posts need cleaning, starter relay, starter solenoid contacts.

 

Most expect the corrosion problem to be on positive terminal and overlook the negative terminal.

 

BEFORE you go off and waste time on the Neutral Safety Switch. I had the same issue a good while back. The answer is listed below:

Indications are one single click and then nothing. That click is the starter relay which sends power to the starter solenoid to pull it in. The solenoid pulls in the plunger that connects the copper contacts for the starter motor power and extends the bendix gear to engage the flywheel. The problem is the copper contacts inside the solenoid are burned and need to be replaced.


You can buy the contacts and plunger new from Nations Starter and Alternator for about 30 - 35 bucks. Much cheaper than hundreds for a rebuilt POS from Autozone or big bucks from the dealer.

https://www.nationsstarteralternator.com/Starter-Rebuild-Kits-s/37.htm


Check this video for rebuilding the solenoid on the starter. The biggest issue with the V6 Engine and 4X4 is you have to take the starter out through the drivers wheel well area. I did my Prerunner 4 banger in about an hour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=qwokxzjlYcQ&embeds_euri=https://www.tacomaworld.com/&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo

 

Those are the words of advice which led me to replace mine. It cranks and starts every time now.

 

Not weird at all, my 1988 Chevy Celebrity did the same thing occasionally. In my case it was the NSS but I never got around to changing it.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-starter-source.718589/

I wrote a detailed step by step with pictures back when I did it.

 

Jimmy - I just started to order this and they want $20 shipping - seems ridiculous for a small package that weighs nothing - did you pay this ? Did you find any coupons that worked ? Thanks for any reply.

Jimmy - I just started to order this and they want $20 shipping - seems ridiculous for a small package that weighs nothing - did you pay this ? Did you find any coupons that worked ? Thanks for any reply.

 

Amazon is full of basically the same kits.
Type in - Toyota Denso Starter Repair Kit

 

Thanks for the reply - They arn't Denso - do you think they're as good as Denso - I kind ah like going with OEM where possible.

 

I don’t see where the Nations site says theirs is “Denso” parts.

If you like the Nations kit, I have had luck by calling a company and ordering over the phone.
Sometimes shipping is less. It never hurts to try? Call them and see?

 

You must have the technique - I called - no one answers - left a message - no one called back. Thanks.

 

I’ve never called them.
I hope I never have to……

 

"I hope I never have to" have to agree - R U happy with the product ? Do you think it's worth the extra $$ over say Dorman ? Thanks.

 

I can’t answer that question.
But there isn’t a lot involved there.
I mean, it’s basically 2 metal contacts and plunger.
I would feel ok with the “Dooman” parts.

@Jimmyh might have actually uses that particular set.

 

Thanks - I will check - most of other's say made with aluminum - I don't want aluminum contactors painted gold for sure.