overheating issue

This issue has been going on for more than 2 years. I have a 1998 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4WD with a 2.7 Liter engine. It all started when my starter was replaced. It began 2-3 months after the new starter was installed. After driving the truck for 25-30 minutes, then stopping, it would not start. Completely dead. Open hood, let it cool off for 10-15 minutes, truck would start right up. The new starter after 2-3 months one day started smoking when I started it up and fried the cable going to the battery and fried that too! Now the 3rd starter developed the same issue but during the winter there were no issues obviously because of the cold weather outside but it happened in February as it was unusually warm. It is doing it now. I had the fan clutch replaced as it wasn't engaging but that wasn't the problem as the truck would not start last night. They have run 2 diagnostic checks on it and could find nothing. The Toyota dealership wants to run another Diagnostics check as they won't take the word of another mechanic. I get that! The thermostat in the truck never reads hot. It has a new radiator. People have said thermostat, water pump, could be a engine issue but they are all just guessing. It never had a heat shield for this year truck between the engine and starter. I am perplexed and totally overwhelmed! Anyone have any ideas or experienced this themselves. I will take all the help I can get because the dealership wants to do a search and explore which could run into the thousands! Thanks in advance! Robert

 

sounds like a couple different problems. Id replace the cables, temp sensor and maybe the thermostat.

 

Battery cables have been replaced. I will have them check out the temperature sensor and thermostat. Thanks!

 

Who replaced your starter - what brand did they use and likely more important - how did they reinstall it and associated wiring. I'm wondering if they left the batteries negative cable attached to the battery during the starter removal/install and got something dorked up.