Truck Won't Start - Help Diagnose.

For the past couple of weeks, I've had intermittent starting issues. First time it happened, I found a loose battery connection. Fix it. Started right up afterwards. No-start problem reappeared a few days later. Sometimes I could press the aftermarket security system reset button and get it to start after a few tries. Kept a portable jump battery with me and used it a number of times. Truck started right up. Some days the truck would start multiple times without having to jump, even on cold days. Other days I'd have to jump it each time. Battery is fine. Alternator is fine.

This afternoon it started with no issues. Five minutes later, it would start, not even with a jump from the portable battery. So I disconnected the security system computer. And now it sits at the end of the driveway.

When the key is turned partially, the dash lights come on and the chimes sound, but beyond that, it's just silence. It's like the battery has been disconnected from the starter. No sounds at all. No codes are shown.

 

Maybe it is the starter?

 

I promise I'm not questioning anyone's ability or anything and only mention it due to my own experience, have you removed the battery connectors and cleaned the batt terminals and the cable connectors well? I use a tea kettle of boiling water and just pour it straight on the batt posts without disconnecting the cables. All corrosion cleans up beautifully this way and you eliminate that connection as a possibility for further troubleshooting if needed

 

Bang on the starter with a hammer and have someone turn the key, sometimes it will start. Worked a ton of times for me

 

Wait a minute. Do you get one single click when you turn key over to start it?

 

Another thing to try is swapping the 15 amp EFI fuse under the hood with another 15 amp fuse in the fuse box. On a couple Toyotas of mine I've found intermittent connection with that fuse and replacing it/swapping with another took care of problem

 

Sometimes I do get one click. Today, I'm getting nothing.

I'm beginning to think it's the starter. Good call.

Not going to bank on it, maybe a tap or two. Don't want to destroy the magnets inside.

Since my first post, I've reconnected the security system and fixed a bad connection on the reset button. The blinking light turned off, but still won't start. Gonna find the starter and tap tap tap.

 

I had a similar scenario, very similar. 2 years ago in summer I had a no start, no crank. 1 year prior to that I had replaced the starter solenoid contacts and plunger because they were shot causing a no start. I've done starter contacts on a few different vehicles. So I was confident they were fine but I just left it for the day. Next morning it started fine. Mmmm. No issues until 1 year later. Same exact symptoms. Turn key and no start, no click, no turn over. Wasted like an hour double checking the other things and then said screw it, I'll pull the starter.
So I pulled it and the contacts still looked great in the solenoid. So I removed the outer casing over the windings and stuff and all looks great. Quite a bit of carbon dust or whatever. So I manually started cycling the bendix to see what I could feel or see and believe it or not, there was just a little bit of catching at the very start of the movement. And this was from that fine carbon dust just settling and getting all over and ever so slightly causing the initial action to hang up. I cleaned out all that crap and used a dab of silicone grease to keep that movement nice and smooth on the bendix.
That was two years ago and not another issue since.

You could check to see if you've got 12 volts at the starter while someone turns the key as well. Because if you're putting a jump on it and still not turning, not likely battery connections then. Like I was mentioning earlier.
If you get one audible click when you turn the key(the plunger being pulled down to the contacts) but no more clicks and no starts, then it could be the contacts on the solenoid. They are cheap and replaceable and your Denso OEM starter is much higher quality than any parts store BS.
Just FYI.

 

contacts on the solenoid. Excellent suggestion. I watched this video. Maybe I can do it. Just hope I didn't destroy the started by tap tap tapping on it.

https://youtu.be/qwokxzjlYcQ

 

I've tapped the starter on previous rides hundreds of times to no ill effect.

I wouldn't worry about dislodging anything in the starter from a tap. Besides, isn't that the point?!

If you're getting a click, it's most likely not the relay/solenoid. If you're having intermittent clicks with the key to ON, that's where I would start.

 

Very common problem with the solenoid contacts been doing that since they started using reduction starters. Beating on it with a hammer won't work with bad contacts. Biggest problem is finding the plunger contact disk they can not be turned over. They really are killer starters the only thing I have ever found bad was the contacts.

 

Could also be your cable connection, bad ground . I would start with pulling the cables at both ends clean and check that everything is tight and has a solid connection

 

If it's pulling the starter and replacing the contacts you totally got this man. If yours isn't the OEM Denso starter, i dunno if it's worth just replacing the contacts. I mean I guess just on financial side it can make sense to do contacts only while you keep eyes peeled for a used OEM Denso one that will only ever need contacts replaced. They're great starters. I feel bad when folks turn them in as a core to the parts stores after installing some cheapy crap one.
Anywho I guess we'll wait to see what you find

 

Never knew what the point of tapping on the starter was. Seems like a rain dance to me.
I'm no longer getting a click when I turn the key. Just silence.
Never was getting intermittent clicks. was getting intermittent starts. i.e. sometime it would start right up, sometimes it wouldn't turn over, and jumping it started it up immediately....except today.

 

Makes sense. Thanks for the words of encouragement. If my jack can reach high enough, I'll see what I can do tomorrow. Better get to it before I turn 60 in a week.

 

When the starter contacts go bad there is usually one audible click as the plunger slaps the contacts in the solenoid but because the surfaces are all pitted up and coated in carbon, etc the contacts can't keep the plunger drawn to them when juiced and thus can't get the starter turning.
If no click at all, then something is keeping the volts at the battery from making it to the starter. Whether thats the batt cables, fuses, bad fuse box connection on down the line to the ignition switch to the relay and on to the starter solenoid.
Then if the quick check of the regular things doesn't show anything, I would check if you are getting 12VDC at the starter wire connections. If no 12VDC at starter get a schematic and check for voltage down the line until you see where it was lost. Hope that isnt redundant just tried to explain it clearly as sometimes I forget everyone doesn't have a crystal ball to understand my jabber

 

I hear ya man. I get it. If you have do have to take it in, I'll be bugged-but I understand , if you do though, at least you'll know enough to where they won't be able to jerk you around

 

Good info. Don't understand why I was first getting a click, but now I'm not.
Also, where is neutral safety switch and could it be a potential cause. Would it through a code.

 

Oh was just thinking of loo I grew up in Va Beach. My mom lives out there and I was visiting a couple years ago and wow oh wow has that place exploded in population. I guess it had been 25 years since I had been lol wish I was there now so I could throw my meter probes in a couple spots on your truck and give you some repair help

But yeah the neutral switch is that little button by the transmission gear selector. Usually not the problem, but would keep engine from starting, sure try engaging that switch. Also do you have issues ever with being able to turn the ignition off or similar? Like when the shifter isn't at the right spot in park and ignition doesn't let you turn the key all the way?

 

I appreciate the offer. Won't need it tough. Started right up in neural. Turned it off. Started right up in park. What would cause that.

Thanks for everyone's help.