1999 Tacoma starting problems

Hey all, I have a '99 3.4l Limited. It was involved in an accident about a month ago. bumper smashed, radiator cracked, turn signal out, but nothing else too major. So this weekend I went to replace the radiator. Got the new one in, filled it with coolant, and went to fire it up to let it circulate. And of course, when I turned the key, I got a click and that's it.

I started with the main culprits. Battery is good, terminals are clean. Still wouldn't start so I went and picked up a refurb starter from the store. Its got 216k miles on it so I figured with a lifetime warranty on the starter I would just swap the whole thing out. Came back, bolted it on and still just a click.

Onto the next culprit. Starter relay. I pulled it, opened it up, and there was a small break in the wiring, so I went and picked up a new one. Threw it in, and still just a click.
At this point I was worried about my engine being seized, so I tried an OSHA approved test. I pulled the starter off the motor but still kept the electrical connected to see if it would spin. Still got just a click.

Finally I grabbed a jumper cable and jumped the whole electrical system and just hooked the battery straight to the starter. When I did this, it fired right up.

So I know it's something electrical. Starter relay is good. All the fuses are good. I pulled out all the wiring between the fuse box/battery and the starter and all the wires were in good condition with no breaks.

Now I have two options, to replace the ignition switch and if that doesn't work possibly look in to the park/neutral start sensor.

Or, i can pull the wiring apart from the ignition switch to the fuse box. I know there are fusible links in it, so that could be a possible reason.

Just wanted to see what you guys thought, if you have any suggestions, and if you think I'm working in the right direction. Thanks guys

 

Not being an ass, but you're 110% positive that the battery cables and the battery terminals are making a proper connection?

 

Yeah if you haven't cleaned the terminals, they're likely not clean

 

did you check the contacts on the starter solenoid?

 

Try starting in neutral. If it's the same symptom then most likely not the park/neutral switch. It wouldn't fail in both positions.

And to be clear is the click you hear the click of the starter solenoid? If so, then it seems like an electrical connection problem like you think. You might try checking the battery voltage while trying to start just to be sure the voltage isn't dropping a lot indicating a very weak battery.

 

I am having this problem on my 98 taco. Same steps, verified the connections, clutch depress switch, new starter, new (and bigger) ground from batt to block. Looking at the ignition switch.
Plugged meter into the various wires on the plug and found the hot when key is turned to start. Only 11.24v...
I saw a mod on another forum

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/8...arter-relay-fix.html#/topics/310278?_k=qjgisg

adding a relay to run power direct from the battery to the starter relay and on to the solenoid to "delete" the ignition from the series and use it only to light up the relay.
It sounds magiver af but makes sense.
Just throwing it out there...

 

Finally got to the bottom of it. I cleaned the shit out of the terminals with no luck, so yes I did try that. For some reason, when the starter cable was on top of the pos. cable running to the fuse box, and didn't have a solid connection when I turned the key. I swapped them and put the starter cable on first, and then the positive fuse box on top of it. Hopped in and it fired right up. Not sure why that caused so much problem, but it's fixed now. Thanks for all the help guys