Basket case files

Fixing an 02 taco for pop in law. Started and ran after cleaning starter mount points. Went to start it and sizzling pop now no crank. This was a couple months ago so I forgot what all I did then so starting from scratch. I hate chasing wires but it's only got 50ishK on it so... mostly records and questions with a bit of research if I get stumped.

 

Ok. A little better than it was last time. Took battery out of other truck, that I drove down here with, put it in and it tried to crank. Tried second time and nothing. Not even with charger/jumper hooked to it. Battery still starts the other truck fine. It's hotter than 2 rats in a wool sock out there so I'm going to chalk that up as progress and go to the creek for a bit. Besides I don't have any tools down here to really get into it. Was only planning on looking it over to see if there was rat damage. Shifter boot got chewed but I don't see any wires jacked.

 

This is on hold for a few. VA appointments, kid drama. Lotta travel.
Thinking about it a bit here and there. If the truck tries to start after initial hook up but won't even click after that, but I can take that battery and crank up the 350 SBC with it, wouldn't that point towards cables or motor, possibly weak/bad relay or solenoid? Not with the truck to test it, just pondering in my adhd/ocd fashion as I sit here with coffee in hand off to another appointment.

 

I would pull the starter off and have it tested and while you are under there inspect wiring to starter.

 

What do the battery cables look like?

I'm betting a cable lost connection especially if it has those crappy clamp on ends like this.

 

Thinking about casting my own with wire in it, or just crimping. Hate the bolt together type. Always rusted to crap even with grease.

Yeah, the starter and cables, I agree wholeheartedly. I'll have to double check next time I'm with the truck, but I don't remember hearing the starter relay click at all either. I have a feeling I'm going to be doing a bug hunt in the wires, but yeah, it's as good of a place to start as any other.
* any ideas on coil resistance in starter/solenoid?

 

Get a test light and a helper, ground the test light to the starter case and put the probe to the main power stud, verify the light lights and stays lit when the key is turned to crank. If it does then go to the S-Terminal (small wire) and verify it lights with the key turned to crank.

If those 2 test good then you have a bad starter.

 

Sounds like you let the magic smoke out.
You're gonna need to find where it came from and put it back.

 

Welcome aboard, a little confusing, so it ran once then wouldn't? Have you checked all the fuses under the hood? Don't think the ones in the cabin are related but there's a couple big ones under the hood.

 

Yeah. All fuses checked. Even under dash in wiring. About to haul it to the house so I can spend time with it and have my tools on hand.

Situation: few months ago, crank- no start. Started checking things. Went to crank and heard a sizzling pop under dash, no crank from there on.
Now- started back on it again. No crank, except for 1st try after battery is hooked up. After 1st try, nothing. No click. Nothing. I'll have to check again but I'm pretty sure fuel relay doesn't even engage after 1st try.

 

I think someone mentioned the solenoid plunger thing on the starter fixed theirs. Don’t know but good luck

 

I'll have to look at it. Wife has me on 03 corolla right now. Ours so I know what's up there at least.