‘YotaTech’ Member Seeks Help Getting ’86 Toyota Pickup Started
Toyota pickup owner works through some mysterious starter trouble with help from fellow YotaTech members.
We’ve all been faced with at least one pesky problem related to a vehicle at least once in our lives. A problem that we just can’t figure out, no matter how much time we spend pouring over it. But that’s exactly why places like the YotaTech forums exist. There, Toyota fans can converge and seek help from other members, many of whom are quite literally master mechanics. So that’s exactly what USMC Hitman did when he found himself stuck with his own 1986 Toyota pickup in this thread.
“I have a 1986 pickup, standard cab, 4X4 5-speed with a 1982 22R engine. I had head issues and had the head machined. Still had power issues and it started blowing white smoke. A leakdown test showed rings, so the motor was pulled and machined .020 over. I took my time, rebuilding and getting everything back together. I got the motor in, buttoned it up, and filled with fluids. Went to start it and got what sounded like a soft clicking. I didn’t disconnect the starter when I pulled the motor, so I don’t think anything happened to it. What I am curious about is if the motor won’t turn over because the dash is still disconnected. I’m wondering if anyone has run across this before?”
At first, a couple of members believe that the battery could be the culprit, which would be an easy fix.
“Check your battery voltage, both at rest (about 12.6v) and with the key to start. Soft clicking sounds like a low battery,” said scope103.
“X2 on what scope103 says, especially if you are using the same battery that has been sitting around waiting for your engine to get back,” added 13Swords. “It could be discharged. Also, depending on the age, you might want to replace it with new anyway. I am always suspect of any battery that is over 3-years-old if it’s been sitting.”
Turns out, the battery is fine, but the OP didn’t reconnect the starter. Once that happens, it turns over, but it isn’t catching. But fellow member RadRunner spots something else that could be the root cause of the problem.
“That starter relay near the wiper motor was wired wrong at the factory. Could cause weak operation of the starter solenoid. But $11 in parts and a half-hour’s work will fix it. Check out this thread for the steps to fix it.”
At this point, we’re just waiting to hear back from the OP to see if this fix gets his Toyota pickup started. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions, we’d love to hear them. Head over here and let us (and the OP) know what might be causing his problem, and help a fellow member out!
Photos: YotaTech Forums
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