Starter works but engine won't turn over.

I have a 97 tacoma with 440,000 miles. I still have the original clutch. 2.4 engine getting 28 mpg. Yesterday, when I turned the key the engine just turned right over with no cranking at all. Today, when I turned the key, all I heard was the starter turning but the engine doesn't turn at all. According to the manual the starter was bad. I replaced the starter and still have the exact same problem. Starter turns but the engine does not. Anybody have any ideas?

 

It got worse the next day? You have a good charge on the battery?
shit 440k!

 

what does the flywheel look like?(the ring gear)

 

The starter solenoid is goofed right up. You may try tapping it with a rubber hammer ( Starter ) and it may start. If it does use that running opportunity to get the starter changed out.

Oh oh Read fail.. You already changed the starter. You may have the solenoid wired wrong. You may have a bad wire. The small wires are for the solenoid.

 

The battery is fully charged. It's weird. starter is strong but the engine isn't doing anything

 

oh ya, I didn't look at the flywheel when I had the starter out.

 

yea take a look at your clutch, flywheel and pressure plate. my 92 isuzu done that after the clutch gave out.

 

That's cause the solenoid is not pushing the starter motor into position to make contact with the fly wheel. Do you get it now?

 

have you checked your ignitioin system or fuel system to make sure the problem is not there.

 

This has nothing to do with the clutch, just the flywheel.

This is most likely the problem. The starter is not engaging on the flywheel.

 

Distributor?

 

It could also be the starter relay located in the fuse box.

Check the relay, do you know how to test a relay? Basically you take it out and test across 1 and 2 for continuity and no continuity across 3 and five. If it fails that test replace it.

Next put battery voltage on terminals 1 and 2 then with a meter check 3 and five for continuity if not change the relay. Which relay is the starter relay ? There is three relays right next to each other in the fuse box. It's the center one. There is also two relays above that group of three. It's the center one in the group of three.

 

TubMaster,
You say you can hear the starter run but the engine does not turn over?
You replaced the starter with a good one?
Same results?
You might be missing teeth on the flywheel.
Pull the starter out and take look at the teeth on the flywheel.

 

Wow! It's great to have found a place where people are so helpful!
Gonna try some of the suggestions tomorrow. Will let you know.
btw, the pullys do move so I guess the engine is turning. I am getting gas from the fuel pump, so i guess it seems like there is no spark.
Thanks again...

 

oh, so you just have no spark. Have you ever replaced the cap and rotor in the distributer?

 

Well if the engine is turning over the starter is working just fine. You did say "Today, when I turned the key, all I heard was the starter turning but the engine doesn't turn at all."

 

Today I replaced the starter, distributor cap and rotor, spark plugs and wires.
I still have the same problem.

 

it could be your ignition coil that's bad, but it would be a lot cheaper if you get it tested before changing it so you know you need it and don[t just throw in new parts that you don't even need.

 

I can't help you, but dayumm 440,000?? That's the highest mileage on TW I've seen... I can only hope my truck lasts that long.

 

ignition coil?
check the resistance across the terminals with a multimeter.

also, pull the wire out of the distributor that comes from the coil. hold it about half an inch from the block and have someone crank it. see if you get spark then.