Starting issue

Hello everyone!

I have a 1998 Tacoma SR5, 4x4, 3.4L V-6, auto., ext. cab pickup, with 300k miles on it. For years it has ran like a bullet-proof tank. All original, except for the timing belt, water pump and battery. The only non-maintenance issue it ever had, has started recently. Occasionally, when I go to crank it up, I'll get a 'click' like a dead battery, I'll release the ignition key and try again, sometimes it starts up and sometimes the 'click' again, and after another try it will start. The issue is intermittent to say the least. I'm 99.99999% sure it's the starter relay. But I'd thought I would check here first, just in case there is another issue I don't know about.

My other question is, I wondered over to RockAuto.com and searched for starter relays. They have four available. Two from STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, one from AIRTEX/WELLS and one from ACDELCO. Is one better than the others? Or should I get one that isn't listed?

Thanks in advance!

Mad Scientist

 

I'm 99% sure it's not the relay. More likely it's the classic Toyota starter solenoid contact problem. Just do a search for Toyota+starter+contacts. This applies to the starters from all Toyota models from this era. I don't know if the newest Toyotas still use the same type of starter.

Here's a video showing what I'm talking about:
Replacing starter solenoid contacts (Nippondenso)

You can replace just the contacts for cheap if you do your own car repairs.

 

I just had my alt. go out and used an old fashioned starter shop rebuild it. 75 bux, they said starters were about the same price unless armature was shot.
pretty much like new and still original.

 

Our alternators are easy to 'rebuild'. Usually, the brushes wear down. You can replace the brush-holder (includes the brushes) for around $20. Remove the alternator. The back cover just unbolts. Two phillips screws attach the brush-holder (careful not to strip them).

The starter is also easy to rebuild . Usually just the positive contact. A re-build kit will include both contacts, and sometimes the plunger.

 

Did this on mine about 2 years ago. Hardest part is getting the starter out, but there are write ups on this forum to help you out with that as well. Good Luck!

 

Here's a video for you:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WV1t5-wcoOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

You're on fire lately with this forum!

 

I'm just trying to get our videos out to the obvious audiences that will benefit from them. Your 1st Gen Tacomas are identical in so many ways to 3rd Gen 4runners so I figured this is another forum of dudes who would appreciate the library of videos my buddy Sean and I have accumulated over the last year. We put a ton of time and effort into making these videos and the payoff is having people use them to save themselves the money a shop would charge. This is also a sort of "Pay it Forward" because we have benefited from good repair/mod videos and write-ups that others have done and we're just making our own contribution to the DIY Mechanic Community.

Some might see my actions as an act to just boost our subscriber numbers but that's not the goal. Sure, it's cool to see more people decide to subscribe because they like our channel but we just want more people to benefit from our efforts. The benefit to subscribing is you are notified when we put out new videos. I will try to remember to post new videos here and other sites but being a subscriber will guarantee you won't miss any new videos that we upload to our channel.

Sean and I just helped a buddy of mine yesterday install a combination Toytec / Old Man EMU lift on his 2000 Tacoma. We're backed up on the video editing but I suspect we'll have this video out in a few weeks.

 

Quality is quality. I hope you guys get more subscribers. Your videos are really easy to follow along with and perfect for someone that has ability and tools, but hasn't done a ton of automotive repair yet. It helps in planning out what tools are going to make the job possible too. Keep up the good work!

 

Hey Anthony,

Thanks! Sean and I are having a good time making the videos even though it sometimes requires long days on our backs in my garage and then doing all the tedious editing afterward. A hydraulic lift would be awesome to have but I kind of think showing us struggling on our backs is more beneficial to the majority of DIY mechanics because not many people are going to have a lift in their garage or shop.

I have invested a crapload of money in tools though. I don't bother adding up what I've spent over the last year because I'd don't really want to know, but it has to be in the thousands. I guess the same could be said to anyone spending a lot of money on modifications on their rig with a lift, bumpers, lighting and whatever else. Do they really want to know how much money they sunk into their rig? Probably not.

 

Your videos are both informative and entertaining. Your friends crack me up with their comments in the back!

 

Hope you don't mind if I jump in this thread rather than start a new one, but mine started doing something similar. Only difference is there is no "click" with mine. The dash lights come on but that's it. Try again a few times and it starts right up. It has a brand spanking new starter so that should be in good shape.

 

If there's not even a click then the starting contact points aren't even coming together.. hmm

Hate to state the obvious but have you checked your battery to see if it's good or clean your terminals? They can be picky if they aren't getting the exact amount of juice from the battery

Usually I would say contact points but if you just replaced the starter then..shouldn't be it

 

Sometimes the click is not loud. You need to put a finger on the starter as someone turns the key to feel if the solenoid is energizing at all. Don't be near the pulleys/belts while doing this!

If the nut holding the main battery cable to the starter is over-torqued it can rotate the contact inside and cause the same problem like worn out contacts, so the starter could still be a problem. The torque for the outer nut is something small, like 52 in-lbs.