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Spinning Noise When Trying to Start

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 1995 tacoma 4x4 e3rz, Jul 28, 2016.

  1. Jul 28, 2016 at 5:56 AM
    #1
    1995 tacoma 4x4 e3rz

    1995 tacoma 4x4 e3rz [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Don
    Vehicle:
    1995 tacoma 4x4 e3rz
    none
    Hey Good Peoples

    I returned from overseas aout 2 months ago, and tried to start my truck. Clicking noise, so I jumped it off with my other Tacoma after letting the battery charge for about 5 minutes.

    I shut off the truck and took a shower to head down and buy another battery. When I tried to restart the truck it wouldn't start. I tried to jump the truck again, but no success. Took my other truck down and bought a new battery.

    Installed new battery, and tried to crank. No success. Kept trying and there was a soft backfire, so I called a friend who used to be a Toyota Service Manager. He said it sounded like the fuel was bad (the truck had been sitting for a year).

    Finished the call and tried to crank the truck again, and after a couple of attempts then there was a "spinning noise". So, I stopped that day, and tried the next day. Same result.

    Now the truck only spins when I turn the ignition. Spoke with a Toyota mechanic, and he said it could be the timing belt. However, when discussing the issue on an auto parts forum a guy siad the timing belt is steel and should last for the life of a vehicle. (truck has less that 80K miles.)

    So, this led me to research the web. Found examples of similar noises that indicated the starter may be bad. The starter was rebuilt about 8+/- years ago at a Toyota shop.

    This truck has been sitting pretty much for the last 10 years. Would just drive it when I was on vacation from overseas.

    So, anyone out there who reads this....Please help. I do not want to walk into a service shop without know more about what could be the possible problem. Many thanks, Don
     
  2. Jul 28, 2016 at 8:48 AM
    #2
    KdF

    KdF Old Rednek Type

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    East-ByGod-TEXAS!
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    Sounds like the Bendix is out on the starter. That is the part of the starter that pushes out the gear that turns the flywheel. Spinning means it is not making contact with the flywheel.
     
  3. Jul 28, 2016 at 9:00 AM
    #3
    ThunderOne

    ThunderOne Well-Known Member

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    Nashville
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    Sounds like the plunger on the starter went bad. The plunger is what pushes the gears on the starter forward and cranks the engine. Then it retracts back to the original position after the truck has started. If you're hearing spinning but the engine won't crank, I'm thinking the plunger is no longer doing its job and it's time for a new starter or a rebuild.
     
  4. Jul 28, 2016 at 9:04 AM
    #4
    mynewtoy

    mynewtoy I like men

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    Detriot locker rear ARB air locker front 4.56 gears OME 3" lift, SPC uca's , moto metal 951 wheels 315/75/r16 Treadwright guard dogs, homemade front plate bumper with smittybilt 9.5k winch, homemade skids, homemade Bed bars, Mobtown offroad high clearance rear bumper with tire carrier, Homemade rock sliders , U-bolt flip, Wheeler's super bumps, BORA 1" wheel spacers , Black headlight mod , black tail lights, Satoshi Grill , autoPage C3 RS-665 alarm with remote start, flowmaster 40 series exhaust, cruise control,bed/ground effect lights, wet okole seat covers, tinted,windows, weather tech floor mats, AVS vent shades, debadged, hidden cobra 19 cb, 7" offroad lights behind grill, rear diff breather relocate, abs kill switch
    yep sounds like you need a new starter. sometimes you can tap on the starter with a hammer and the plunger will free itself.
     
  5. Jul 28, 2016 at 2:04 PM
    #5
    ruffbytes

    ruffbytes Member

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    +1 to thunderone. Sounds like a bad plunger (or solenoid) on a starter. Sometimes you can just buy that part so you don't have to replace the entire starter.
     

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