i noticed sometimes when i start my truck, i get nothing, just one solid click..however, the lights radio wipers all work. i pop the hood and i mess around with the battery cables for a second , then i start and it starts fine.

my question is. since it must be the cables...what do i do?

 

It's probably not the cables. It's probably your starter solenoid going out. Clean all your terminals and cable connections and have your battery tested at an auto parts store. If the battery comes back good and your rig does that again. Then it's your solenoid.

 

i had that happen to me a couple of years ago and it turned out the wire clamp was broke and it just wasnt gettin enough power to turn the starter so id check ur clamps

 

yeah i had that. just clean your battery terminals off, possible with a wire brush and it should be fine

 

its super clean, however ill check it again...

and about the soleniod..is that cheap?

 

I vote for the solenoid. not too expensive but can prove to be a pain in the butt to replace.

 

Replace your solenoid contacts, i think they're a couple bucks. Not sure how difficult it is too get the starter out of the newer 4runners, but it shouldn't take you more than a few minutes.

 

its the starter contacts seen it 1000 times $8.00parts and 2hrs labor

 

also check the short ground wire from battery to fender my 91 was doing the same for 2 months then one day (christmas day) just click and that was all had to get a tow to the shop took them 2 friggin weeks to figure out it was the ground wire bump bump bump after laying in the wet dirt in dress clothes beating on the starter with 2 screaming 3 year olds in the truck and all it was was a stinkin wire up top

 

is there a write up for this? im fairly new when it comes to working under the hood of cars. however i can follow directions and all . i replaced spark plug and all last month. and..would it hurt to change the solenoid contacts even though they dont need replacing? i am willing to learn, but i dont have a clue about solenoid contacts and what they do

 

Im sure there is one out there, but your gonna have to search for it... This page should give you some ideas, but i don't think there is anything specific to your model year http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#EasyTest. If you don't already have one it would be wise for you to pick yourself up a repair manual, like a chilton or a haynes.

 

thanks i will def. read into this soon

happened again today..i was about to the store and i get out and all i get when turning the key was a click. i popped the hood to take a look at it. i dont know where i should look to find the starter or solenoid..but i just traced the battery cables as far as i could, one group of wire went wayyy underneath the car, down by the skid plate..didnt have time to take off skid plate to look at it. after a few pulls here and yanks there i got it running again. ill read that article and find out how to isolate the problem

 

Can anyone throw me the part number's for '97 3.4 starter contacts? I went to the stealer and they told me I had to take the starter apart first to see what size the contacts are, and then they can order the kit. I think that this is a load, and I can't just let it sit for a week while the contacts are in the mail. I've searched around and come up with these part numbers; 28235-54380, 28226-54340, 28226-72010, 28226-72010, which ones do I need?

BTW, I have the same problem with a new battery and squeaky clean contacts.

 

You can get contacts through any auto parts store, they will most likely have them in stock

 

I'm going to go with everyone else and say it's probably the contacts. The starter is located on the passenger side close to the tranny fluid dipstick. You can see it if you take off the splashguard in the wheelwhell. You'll have to go underneath the truck to take it out, there are two long bolts that you'll need to remove and then make sure to disconnect all the wires and plugs before pulling it out.

Once you've got the starter out unbolt the starter solenoid which is above the bigger starter motor, there should be three bolts. From there you can see the plunger along with the copper starter contacts. Take a look at them and if they are corroded or deformed replace them. Google for a writeup with pictures if you need them.

 

there is also a squeek sometimes when i start the car. for a second at the most. would this help out in isolating the problem? thanks

 

That is most likely unrelated, probably a belt...

 

i can pretty much guarentee its the starter its happend to my truck time and time again toyota didnt make the best starters for quite some time

 

how many miles on your rig?

if it's over 100k, i would bet my money on it.

@max:
my part nos and your part nos should be the same, i think i posted mine.

Remove the skidplate to make room.
PB Blast those bolts!
and try not to cuss a lot while doing it.

the squeak might be coming from the drive belts. got vaseline?

 

all you need is to pull your solenoid cap and see that one of the 2 contacts the one generally witht the power from the battery will be worn down about an 1/8 of an incha and if you replace it you sould get another 50000mi out of it if not let me know i build them for a living so i will be able to help more in depth