Starter clunks on initial key turn

Hey Guys/Gals,

Every once in a while when I start the truck, the starter goes "clunk" on the first key turn...2nd turn it fires right up. What does the accumulated wisdom of the ages say to this?

 

I had this - the worn contacts in magnetic switch inside the starter do that. When key is turned, the electromagnet pulls the plunger making the switch closed (that switch is powering the starter motor) If contacts are worn, then they not make the contact and what you hear is a "click" making by the plunger.

If this is the case it will go only worse till you will not be able to start the truck at all until you replace contacts. There are some rebuild kits for that quote cheap. When it happened to me more than 15 years ago I did not know about the kit, I just get some heavy duty copper clamps from Home Depot and using file made my own contacts. I geues they are better than original, as original lasted only few years.

 

It really depends if your hearing a click or a clunk

If it really is a clunk much louder then the click of the solenoid.

The clunk means the starter drive is not engaging the ring gear on the fly wheel

Hard to really know

At the least the starter is going to need attention

 

It's a definite "clunk." Starter gear tooth, perhaps?

 

Who can say !

It might be that it might be worn enough things don`t mesh the first time

Might fall apart when it comes out

 

It's the starter. I would swap it out before this happens: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/starter-issues.546212/

 

The plunger does two things at the same time: Push out the pinion gear to engage the flywheel and close contacts powering the starter motor. If you hear only a clunk and no whining or grinding sound, it means either high power cable is not connected or broken. Clunk might be the sound of pinion gear hitting the flywheel.

If you take the starter out (PITA in 3.4 V6) check both contacts inside. What happens is they wear and the copper ring in plunger does not make a a contact with either one, hence no cranking. The "rebuild" is easy and cheap, taking starter out and putting it back is quite challenging. This is great video to see first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV1t5-wcoOI

 

Yup!

 

The Automatics are much worse .

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

 

OP has PreRunner, will it be easier to take the starter out from under? I don't know. I have 4x4 and 2.7. It was some exercise to remove it, but not that bad as Tim showed it in his 4Runner video.

 

Did you try removing the brake line and fitting it between the exhaust and UCA? It's tight but it works as shown the video I made doing it on my 2000 Toyota 4runner.

 

Your videos are bible to me . I just wish you have 1st gen Tacoma with 2.7.

 

Anybody know the oem part # to the rebuild kits?

 

Tim shows on his video for starter 1.8kW. For 1.4kW contacts are different but I don't know part numbers - I used parts from Home Depot.

 

I did this procedure on my wife's 98 4Runner. Works like a charm!