99 Tacoma starting/electrical issues

Hello, I'm brand new to this forum. Desperate for some help before I drop hundreds in a local shop.

My husband's 1999 Tacoma runs like a champ and is well maintained with 160K. A couple years ago, after driving hundreds of miles on a road trip, the engine would not start, wouldn't turn over or make any clicking noises. All the instrument lights come on. Wouldn't start even if shifted into neutral or another gear.

This problem was rare but has become more and more frequent. Now it happens on a bi-weekly basis, and it's always when the truck has been driven over 60 mph for at least ten minutes. Stop to get gas, and he'll be stranded for 45 minutes. New battery, new keys, new starter. When that didn't solve the problem, we took it back, and the shop that installed the starter said it could be the after-market alarm (from the previous owners) screwing things up. They said they disconnected the alarm but also managed to disconnect the new PIIA fog lights we installed, so now we're looking at chasing some wires to get this thing functional again.

After much contemplation and research online, we are thinking maybe a bad connection between the ignition and starter? Any other thoughts?

Any help is most appreciated. THANK YOU!

 

is it a manual or auto? did they replace the starter relay or solenoid, or the wires to the starter?

 

How would he fix it when he was stranded? Would it start when jump started?

If so check the battery terminals, the thin metal is easily worn out. I just had the same problem.
I replaced it with something similar to this http://www.walmart.com/ip/16006676?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=3

 

Potential list of things to check assuming the starter and battery are new:

1. Cables (corrosion, poor connection to terminals on battery, starter, ground bolts)
2. Terminals themselves (corrosion, poor connection, dirty connection to battery, starter, and ground bolts)
3. Park/neutral switch (loose mechanical connection, loose/bad electrical connection)
4. Ignition switch (Internal failure, bad electrical connection)
5. Starter relay (corrosion, bad relay, bad connection)
6. Bad replacement starter (it happens)

 

Thanks for the speedy and abundant responses!

The truck is an automatic.
When he gets stranded, he'd just have to wait and keep trying, and eventually it will start, but it's typically 30-60 minutes.

I am not a mechanic. Have no idea what the replaced starter actually entailed. I read elsewhere that a starter is comprised of the solenoid and the motor and read about hitting the solenoid with a hammer (wish I'd researched that before we had it replaced). I'm assuming both the motor and solenoid were replaced.

Anyone familiar with after-market alarms suddenly messing with the truck's ability to start? The alarm was on for years before creating a problem. Now that they disconnected it, they disconnected the fog lights, and I don't believe the lights were piggy-backed in any way on the alarm's wiring.

Thanks again! What a wonderful forum!
Rei

 

I would have someone take a look at it for sure. Aftermarket alarms are strange creatures. Little gremlins inside the bastards are always doing funny stuff to the electrical systems. NOT uncommon at all for an aftermarket alarm to suddenly start causing trouble.

 

Sounds like the issue is heat-related. Thats about how long it takes for the engine compartment to cool down.

Starter motor and solenoid are both contained in the starter housing. Dealers usually replace the entire unit (more profit). But the solenoid portion is separately rebuildable for a DIY'er (about $20 for the kit).

This happened to me once, on my Corolla many years ago. On a hot day, after driving a few miles, it would not start. Dealer replaced the starter ($$$), but the problem remained. Took it back and they discovered that it was the remnants of a security system causing the problem. They removed all traces of it ( no charge for the second visit), and that solved the problem. Not sure why heat would cause the non-starting.

 

We're going in next to remove the alarm and look at a number of suggestions proposed by you all. Thanks for all the great advice and time you invested on our behalf!