Starters clicks but will still start

Every once in a while when I go to start my truck my starter just clicks. All my lights come on but it won't turn over. If I keep trying to start it it will eventually turn on but I'm just not sure what I need to replace to prevent this. I have been told it could be corrosion on my terminals but I've also heard it could be my starter soloinoid. Any ideas?

 

Clean the battery connections and charge the battery. If it continues replace the battery.

 

When it does eventually turn over does it sound slow or sluggish? If it sounds normal when it does turn on it's probably not the battery. If it's sluggish it could be the battery. But my money is on the starter itself.

 

Your starter solenoid is what's clicking. You likely don't have the amps needed to get the starter to turn over. Check all your cables as you mentioned others suggested. Get the battery tested also.

You can have corrosion, loose terminals at battery and/or the starter. If you're going to check the starter and you know the battery is good, be careful checking starter cable as the wire is live! Don't touch a wrench to the starter positive nut till you're sure the negative post is disconnected. You don't want to accidentally short a wrench to any parts of the frame or engine if you're tightening. Not sure how easy it is to access on the first gen.

How'd this get mixed up in suspension thread?

 

I have cleaned all my battery connections and had it tested. The battery is fine I've replaced my terminals and still nothing. I can hear the starter click once as I turn the key but won't turn over. I kept trying to start it for a long time and every once in a while it would start to try but it just will not turn over

 

This

 

When it does start it's perfectly fine and runs great but I don't know a whole lot about starters. Could they gradually go out? Because that's what has happened. It had been taking more and more tries to start and sometimes it'd start just fine.

 

The starter could be dragging, it would sound like a weak battery.. bottom line, of the battery and connections are good, it's prolly the starter..

 

It's pry ur starter. If you turn the key and there is no clicking then that's most likely it if you are sure you have power.

For the battery test, did u do a load test and not just a voltage test? When my battery died there was no warning. Went out after 5 years almost exactly.

 

Yes starters can wear out over time. And most of the time a bad starter will work once in a while. An old school trick to test the starter is to hit it with a hammer or something heavy, if it starts up right after that, it's the starter. I'm 99.9% sure your issue is the starter.

 

So it just clicks once, correct?

Your start contacts are worn out. The starter is rebuildable and the contacts cost about $6 from an auto electric place.

 

My starter is too hard to get to. I can't even touch it. I took it to the shop and am getting starter replaced for $200 Thank you to everyone who helped

 

The contacts in the starter are worn. You can buy replacement parts and rebuild your starter.

$17 Dorman 02349 Starter Rebuild Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-02349...corr&keywords=1995+toyota+starter+rebuild+kit

Getting the starter in and out is the toughest part of the job.

 

I had to do this last weekend to my 2012 4 banger prerunner. Easy as pie. Ordered a kit from:

http://www.nationsstarteralternator.com/Starter-Rebuild-Kits-s/37.htm

The kit included both contacts and a new plunger.

Good video:

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

 

My 2000 taco is having trouble starting (clicks or no sound), then 3rd or 4th time is the charm and she starts up. I'm going to take out the starter this afternoon and would like to fix this one rather than replacing it like I have with all previous cars.

Can anyone recommend the Dorman kit (no plunger) vs the nation kit (w/ plunger, 15$ more)?

Thanks guys