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Ignition or starter problem?

Discussion in 'Technical Chat' started by damionseacat, May 1, 2012.

  1. May 1, 2012 at 6:33 PM
    #1
    damionseacat

    damionseacat [OP] Member

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    Damion
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    1997 Tacoma 4X2 extra cab AT with 137K. Turn key and I hear a click. Turn it again and it either starts or clicks again. All power is on in the truck when key is turned to the ON position, just a click or a start.

    Thanks for any help!

    Damion
     
  2. May 1, 2012 at 6:38 PM
    #2
    90YotaPU

    90YotaPU The Messiah

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    Mike
    Union County, NJ
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    Aftermarket Stereo, Spidertrax Wheel Spacers, HF Air Horns, 3" Lift
    I would say the starter.
     
  3. May 1, 2012 at 7:34 PM
    #3
    Ga tacoguy

    Ga tacoguy Well-Known Member

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    :) Here is a old GM method to check your starter. You will need a helper and a hammer. You need to have your helper get inside and turn the ignition key to start and if it does not start, carefully crawl under and find your starter and tap it with the hammer. Now use a good blow,( but be careful and don't try to cave in the side of the starter,) on the starter body and see if the engine cranks then. If it does, your brushes in your starter are going bad or your starter armature has grounded out. If it doesn't start, it still may be the starter after all. This is just a quick and dirty method to see what happens. A more complete check list will be needed to see exactly what has gone bad.
     
  4. May 1, 2012 at 7:37 PM
    #4
    buzzard1992

    buzzard1992 Yep

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    If it clicks most likely the starter. Never heard of the ignition clicking
     
  5. May 1, 2012 at 7:48 PM
    #5
    bajajax87

    bajajax87 Member

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    riverside county, ca
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    if it clicks then thats the starter trying to engage but cant. i agree with the ol' hammer method, thats the easiest way to get to the bottom of things sometimes. otherwise, check to ensure that everything in the ignition looks ok, no visual issues. sometimes the problem is obvious and gets overlooked because you are thinking too much. if the starter seems to be ok then you know you have an ignition problem. try testing the plugs and ensure that you have spark. if you do not have spark then follow it backwards until you find the problem.
     
  6. May 1, 2012 at 8:13 PM
    #6
    damionseacat

    damionseacat [OP] Member

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    I'm not a mechanic but inclined and have tools. Is the starter an easy fix?
     
  7. May 1, 2012 at 8:24 PM
    #7
    wolftree

    wolftree Well-Known Member

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    Try removing the battery cables and cleaning the battery posts and cables first.
     
  8. May 2, 2012 at 7:14 PM
    #8
    bajajax87

    bajajax87 Member

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    total chaos long travel kit, 456 gears, bilstein 5100 shocks in rear and fox reservoirs 2.5s on the front. k & n intake, flowmaster muffler, deaver spring pack, 35" bfg allterains, front fiberglass fenders and fiberglass hood with scoop.
    starters arent too difficult. id say grab the service book for ur truck and go at it. i recomend disconecting the batteries first tho. if you have questions you can hit me up on here and ill help ya best i can.
     
  9. May 3, 2012 at 3:58 PM
    #9
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    The hard part is removing the starter.
    The easy part is replacing the copper solenoid contacts.
    (Hint, you likely don't need to replace the entire starter)
     

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