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Can't start my truck!!!

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Tacotruck4x4, Sep 25, 2011.

  1. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:11 AM
    #1
    Tacotruck4x4

    Tacotruck4x4 [OP] Active Member

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    ok so last night i noticed i was having a slow crank when i started my truck and i thought i might have left my lights on or something but i continued on my way. this morning i go to start my truck and it cranks once then clicks a bunch, i tried again and just the clickes. i busted out the dmm and checked the battery and its got 12.6v. i'm kinda thinkin starter but i wanted some reassurance before i spent the money on a new one. any advice or help is appreciated
    brandon
     
  2. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:17 AM
    #2
    tx_shooter

    tx_shooter This place is a cesspool of bfo and spacer lifts

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    Rechecked your wiring connections? Check your battery terminals for corrosion. With the recent rain it would be smart to just refresh those connections first and foremost before breaking out the wallet. High humidity followed by heat leads to increased electrical resistance at the connection points. You got 12.6v at the battery; but there is no telling what is reaching the starter.
     
  3. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:18 AM
    #3
    tx_shooter

    tx_shooter This place is a cesspool of bfo and spacer lifts

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    Also, I see you have a 4x4 and are from the north Texas area. Have you checked out the Texas section of this place? We do a good bit of wheeling.
     
  4. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:20 AM
    #4
    TMW

    TMW Well-Known Member

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    Try reading the battery again with someone trying to start it. I agree on cleaning the terminals.
     
  5. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:25 AM
    #5
    worthywads

    worthywads Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like battery or connections to me.

    Have you tried jump starting it?
     
  6. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:26 AM
    #6
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    When you check the voltage--put the probes on the cables-MOST likely--the terminals need to be cleaned. Clicking is a noise that happens when the starter is not getting enough voltage(amps). Clean the terminals--check connections-try again. could also be a loose nut-bolt on the terninal.
    OR it colud be the battery--I would NOT expect it to be the starter.
     
  7. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:27 AM
    #7
    MontanaTaco

    MontanaTaco Well-Known Member

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    Your battery may be bad. I would do a test on it to make sure it has the cold cranking amps.
     
  8. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:29 AM
    #8
    fletch aka

    fletch aka www.BeLikeBrit.org

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    Yep, need to check the battery with a load. Slow starting is a hint that the battery is starting to die on you. Guessing a bad cell.
     
  9. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:29 AM
    #9
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    With it being an 08--is the battery 3 years old?
     
  10. Sep 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM
    #10
    Paulie

    Paulie Well-Known Member

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    Not that it matters but my '02 still has the original battery. The original tires(Bridgestone) were worthless, they started to dry-rot and crack(unsafe) at 10k, they were replaced at 20k and the current ones some Taiwanian tires are holding up very well.
     
  11. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:10 PM
    #11
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    Guess he found the problem and is driving down the road--:"~)))))))
     
  12. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:16 PM
    #12
    tx_shooter

    tx_shooter This place is a cesspool of bfo and spacer lifts

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    Not always... could have a short temper and decided to burn it down and file an insurance claim. :D
     
  13. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:19 PM
    #13
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    Yeah...I would put money on the battery being the issue. If the starter it clicking-That means it's moving and acting as expected.

    Hope the OP comes back and tells us.
     
  14. Sep 25, 2011 at 12:20 PM
    #14
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Yes. Do this!

    Put the probes on the battery itself. Not the cable clamps. Have someone turn it to start. A bad battery will drop voltage below 10 volts. If it stays above 12, check at the cable clamps, might just be the connection.
     
  15. Sep 26, 2011 at 10:01 AM
    #15
    Tacotruck4x4

    Tacotruck4x4 [OP] Active Member

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    hey guys so i cleaned the battery terminals and connectors and i checked the voltage drop when the truck is being started. it doesn't drop below 10v so the battery is good and when the cleaned the connections it started up but was still crankin slow. i measured resistance from the negative battery terminal to the starter housing and got 16 ohms. is it just me or does that seem rather high? maybe thats where the extra resistance is coming from causing the slow crank? thanks everyone for yalls replys they're much appreciated. as for the first guy ya i do a bit of wheeling myself but can't find many trails up north where i'm at considering not many of my buddies drive 4wheel drive trucks haha
     
  16. Sep 26, 2011 at 10:04 AM
    #16
    Tacotruck4x4

    Tacotruck4x4 [OP] Active Member

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    as for newer toy idk how old the battery is i got the truck a year ago but i'm not the original owner. i'm checkin connections right now but i'll back later on to check for more posts yesterday i just push started that bitch cause i had to work haha. made an employee give me a push to start it up to drive home haha 6speed manual ftw!!
     
  17. Sep 26, 2011 at 10:08 AM
    #17
    11TRD

    11TRD MERICA

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    I have seen this before where the battery has a shorted cell and it will appear good sometimes and not the next. One way to tell is to disconnect your Negative terminal and jump start your truck with the connection to the negative cable and not on the battery. And the positve to the positive battery terminal. Doing this prevents a short in the battery shorting over to ground. If it starts like a champ and you dont experience the slow crank then your battery has a cell that is shorting to ground.
     
  18. Sep 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM
    #18
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    Damn--I learned something today--
    Thanks for that info...
    If terminals and connections are good--Get a new BATTERY--Or substitute one from another auto.
    The guy that sold the truck could have put an OLDER battery (from another auto)
    Is there a date on the batt?
    Symptoms are pointing to the battery --NOT STARTER
     
  19. Sep 26, 2011 at 5:09 PM
    #19
    Tacotruck4x4

    Tacotruck4x4 [OP] Active Member

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    ok guys so a little lesson learned. don't let your little sister hold the leads of the dmm to check voltage while starting. i checked it myself with my friend later and learned it dropped to 4v it was the battery. thanks for the simple fix instead of the slightly more expensive but way more of a hastle starter haha.
     
  20. Sep 26, 2011 at 6:10 PM
    #20
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Glad you found it.

    Just in case someone else finds this thread I will add one more experience that involved a bad starter. My buddies truck would intermittently click, but not crank. He pulled the starter and had it bench tested at two different parts stores. Both said it was fine. Turned out the starter solenoid contacts were completely worn out and it would not test bad without a load on it. So if anyone gets a single click, then nothing, and the battery checks out, the starter is suspect. Especially on these nippondenso starters. Very common problem, and cheap to fix with a set of contacts from the dealer.
     

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