toyota tacoma 2006 will not start after use in winter

I use my Toyota Tacoma 2006 TRD for snow plowing. This winter has been difficult and lots of snow.

It all started beginning of the winter. When turning the key, nothing would happen, no clicking of the starter. Lights dimmer, like its ready to take the cold cranking amps of the battery to start, but nothing.

If its warm and thawing and the truck had time to thaw, regardless if very cold after, it will start. At first I thought the batter, changed it, then a mechanic straight up said the starter, even if I told him maybe something electrical. I would have assumed he would have tested the electrical before just changing the starter.

Of course, out of the garage it started no problem, it had time to thaw. Now I used it for 1 hours plowing snow, the next day got back into the truck and it wouldn't start.

What could this problem be? I do not see exposed wires, but again I have not dug into the engine as its -25 and I do not trust the local mechanic as he's cost me hundreds with no resolve.

When turning the engine over, all I can say it sound like its about to start, even turning the key to its full rotation you can feel that click like its suppose to start up. (and I don't mean the clicking of a starter problem)

Any ideas please share

Thanks

Guy

 

Kind of need to know a bit more information.
When this happens, is the battery at 12.7+ volts?
What does the voltage drop to while trying to crank the engine.

You're likely going to need to get to the starter and do some testing.


Follow the guide in the link below.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-information-diagnostics.784008/#post-28042155

 

Did the mechanic replace the starter?

I have found usually when you hear a single click then nothing it is the starter solenoid that has burned contacts. These can be replaced with not too much trouble at a very low price point.

The weak link on these starters is the Solenoid Contacts which are prone to wear and charring. Indications are one single click and then nothing. That click is the starter relay which sends power to the starter solenoid to pull it in. The solenoid pulls in the plunger that connects the copper contacts for the starter motor power and extends the bendix gear to engage the flywheel. The problem is the copper contacts inside the solenoid are burned and need to be replaced.

The issue can be very intermittent or it can be persistent.

You can buy the contacts and plunger new from Nations Starter and Alternator for about 30 - 35 bucks. Much cheaper than hundreds for a rebuilt POS from Autozone or big bucks from the dealer.

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


Check this video for rebuilding the solenoid on the starter. The biggest issue with the V6 Engine and 4X4 is you have to take the starter out through the drivers wheel well area.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwokxzjlYcQ

 

The symptoms say "dead battery", but when it comes to electrical, best to use a Digital MultiMeter to be sure. I would check everything before yanking the starter.

Does it happen when it's cold and dry, cold and wet, or both?

 

Thanks all for the replies. The mechanic has charged me for a new starter, so I sure as hell hope it has been changed. npapa power 244-6933 starter
I tried a new battery and there is a new starter. Mech says he did follow the cable and starter was fully rusted up so he's not sure why it aint starting. I still believe this is electrical issue

cold, from what I can recall, wet or dry, if I run the truck to push snow and leave it for a couple of hours in the cold she just won't start back up. Tomorrow will be in the + temps so I will see if she starts up.

 

I do not know where the grounding point is, but I'd check the grounding.

 

Starter is grounded through the mounting flange to the engine.

 

I haven't looked at this on my Tacoma, but is the engine grounded to the body with a cable? I had an issue with another make/model where the braided cable between the engine and the firewall grounding point corroded in two. Caused no end of trouble until replaced.

OP might verify ground is good by clamping a jumper cable to the engine block and back to the negative terminal on the battery.

 

Yes it has an engine ground, probably several ground cables.

You can check by placing a DVOM across the engine to the negative terminal to verify the ground has zero or very near zero ohms of resistance,