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97 3.4l clicking and not starting

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 97T, Jun 7, 2012.

  1. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:32 PM
    #1
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    Melt
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    soundstream 550.2 amp, 2 eclipse 10" subs, 4% tint rear window, 20% sides, 6" sunstrip, clear bumper lenses, avital 4103 alarm with keyless, BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A 235/75/15, 15X7 6-5.5 0C Unique 298 rims
    and no the battery isnt dead .... im wondering if its the clutch switch .... just started doing this 2 days ago and usually ill push the clutch in harder and it will usually start right up ... but im worried its gonna crap out on me and leave me stranded
     
  2. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:34 PM
    #2
    MapleMoose

    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

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    Starter
     
  3. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:34 PM
    #3
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    ahh shit .... ok i suppose ill hit the autozone saturday ... how hard will that be to change .... ive done one in a 91 bronco before
     
  4. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:36 PM
    #4
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    Melt
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    soundstream 550.2 amp, 2 eclipse 10" subs, 4% tint rear window, 20% sides, 6" sunstrip, clear bumper lenses, avital 4103 alarm with keyless, BF Goodrich Rugged Terrain T/A 235/75/15, 15X7 6-5.5 0C Unique 298 rims
    at least its a stick in this regard so i can push start it and pop the clutch if needs be

    got an oil leak too that will need to be addressed as well .... and i only got 152k on it!
     
  5. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:37 PM
    #5
    MapleMoose

    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

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    You can either buy a new one or rebuild it. I brought mine to a friend toyota mechanic and he replaced the contacts in 10 mins. Then he just charged me for the contacts. $10
     
  6. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:39 PM
    #6
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    unfortunatley my "toyota mechanic" lives in american canyon, ca and i moved ... loved that guy hes on the board and hooked me up big time on my tbelt and water pump
     
  7. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:40 PM
    #7
    MapleMoose

    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

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    If it doesnt start. Just tap the starter with hammer and start it at the same time. Helps if you have someone around. But you only get a few of those before the contacts are really pooched.
     
  8. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:42 PM
    #8
    MapleMoose

    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

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  9. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:45 PM
    #9
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    nice thank you
     
  10. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:45 PM
    #10
    MapleMoose

    MapleMoose Drunk Canadian

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  11. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:46 PM
    #11
    joes06tacoma

    joes06tacoma Well-Known Member

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    As long as you've checked the battery cables, and the click is coming from the starter itself, then I agree, bad starter. Common thing on Toyota's. I have seen them fixed for the cost of the copper contacts inside the solenoid. Sand the plunger down and install new contacts, you're back in business.

    If I were you, I'd pull the starter out, get the number off of it, and take the number along with your VIN down to the dealer and order the contacts. Alternatively, an auto electrical shop may be able to do it for you for less than a rebuilt would cost, or maybe even sell you the parts.

    Fixing them isn't hard, I haven't done it, but have watched a friend do them. He buys 5 or 10 contacts at a time from Toyota and keeps them in stock. Old school guy who fixes stuff on the cheap.

    My buddy rebuilt his Dakota's starter (also nippondenso) with a contact and solenoid plunger kit that he bought somewhere online. I want to say he paid $50 bucks for it.

    Having sold autoparts at both NAPA and Kragen, I can tell you that rebuilt starters are a crapshoot. If you must buy one, Beck Arnely or Autolite brand rebuilts seemed to be the best when I was working autoparts ten years ago. Not sure now. Highly recommend you fix the one you've got.

    BTW, a starter with only the contacts bad in it will pass a "bench test" at the parts store no problem. They work fine with no load.
     
  12. Jun 7, 2012 at 9:48 PM
    #12
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    well its a good thing im going to ride the bus to work tommorow and get drunk downtown so at least i have the weekend to work on it
     
  13. Jun 8, 2012 at 7:26 PM
    #13
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    so its starting good today ... noticed my valve cover oil leak is getting on what i think is the starter .... going to pressure wash the engine bay tommorow and see if that helps .... and if it doesnt brakes plus is right next to the pressure washing place lol
     
  14. Jun 8, 2012 at 7:42 PM
    #14
    Tmanspd123

    Tmanspd123 Active Member

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    Just throwing my 2 cents in but I just had a similar problem on my 95 and I checked all the wires and found that the wire going to the fuse and relay box was corroded. I changed it and fixed the problem. Just a thought.
     
  15. Jun 8, 2012 at 8:11 PM
    #15
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Good batt. or not you have classic bad/weak connection if you know your batt is fine, did you test ? if so & good it would almost have to be a connection issue whether its loose or corrosion related..the clicking is your solenoid bitching about not enough juice getting to it...:)
     
  16. Jun 9, 2012 at 2:23 PM
    #16
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    so the voltage on the battey seemed low .... went to pull it out to put it on the charger and not only was it the battery from 1997 the truck came with, the back was cracked and leaking .... how it was still working at all is beyond me

    $110 at advance and im set
     
  17. Jun 9, 2012 at 4:25 PM
    #17
    Tmanspd123

    Tmanspd123 Active Member

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    Awesome glad it's fixed
     
  18. Jun 9, 2012 at 5:30 PM
    #18
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    yea me too just dropped 2k in moving expenses from n, cal to colorado dont need to be having truck issues
     
  19. Jun 11, 2012 at 11:56 AM
    #19
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    That may be a world record for battery life... You better have bought exactly what was in it before to replace it!
     
  20. Jun 12, 2012 at 7:24 PM
    #20
    97T

    97T [OP] Resident T100 guy

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    well starter started fucking up monday again ..... had brakes plus fix me up ... dont have time to do this shit myself or have the truck down cause its my only vehicle .... wish it woulda stopped working 2 months ago when i was unemployed and had time to fix it myself lol
     

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