My 1995 Toyota Pick up wont start. please help troubleshoot with me?

Question

My truck wont start.

I turn my key, I hear a distinct "click", but nothing happens.

My battery is fine, i think.

My stereo works fine, I can crank it and listen to tunes for a while.

Some people are telling me it's my starter. others are saying its a connection to my starter.

If I sit there and keep turning the key back and forth for like 20 mins, sometimes it will start,. or try to start. It'll start to turn over, but it wont catch.

sometimes, while its "trying" to start, it just stops turning over and dies, almost like it's running out of power.

This all started about 2 months ago. The not starting. but initially, I would just try like 4 or 5 times and then it would start. now it wont start.

I dont know much about trucks, or any vehicle for that matter. Can anyone give me some information about what might be wrong, and possibly a way for me to go out there and confirm what is wrong.

Thank you

Answer 1

Battery cables build up an oxide, over time that causes a high resistance and causes problems with heavy loads like starting. Light loads like the radio usually work fine. The Auto Parts stores sell a battery tool with a long brush on one end to clean inside the connectors and brush on the opposite end which fits over the battery posts. A few twists and the posts will be shiny clean. Remove the negative cable first then the positive cable. Clean the connectors and posts until they are shiny bright. If there is acid corrosion clean it off with baking soda and water before using the brush. Replace and tighten the positive cable first and then the negative cable. That should fix the problem. You'll have to reset the clock and station programming on your radio when your finished.

Answer 2

DON"T BUY A NEW STARTER!!!!
It's either one of 2 things. The copper contacts in the starter have worn down and need to be replaced, or the voltage from the ignition switch has dropped and isn't supplying the solenoid with enough voltage to properly work.

Easiest one to check is the voltage. Pull the small wire with the spade connector off the starter (that one comes from the ignition) and check the voltage when you turn the key to start. Compare that to the direct connection to the battery on the big wire to the starter. It's one one with the bolt on it. If there is much of a difference then that is your problem. If you don['t have a volt meter, wal-mart and harbor freight sell them for like $5.

If the voltage checks out, unbolt the starter and replace the copper contacts. Don't buy a rebuilt one from the parts store, the toyota one you have now is much better quality. Plus contacts are usually $5-10 for the set. You can get them at a local auto electric shop or order them online here:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

Answer 3

Get someone in the truck to roll down the window and listen for you to say start it... When you do say start it rap on the starter solenoid with a hammer. Don't smash the $%^^&* out of it but hit it fairly hard.... If it starts it's the starter.
If it doesn't make sure that your battery has a full charge. The start wiggling wires.... start with the battery cables, make sure they don't wiggle or have corrosion on them.. Next check where the Negative cable connects to the frame, or engine and wiggle it and check for corrosion as well. Then follow the positive cable to the starter and repeat the process. If your battery is fully charged I would expect the starter if the you here just clicking, and it's not turning over.
If it seems to be turning over fine and not starting then you need to check for spark, and fuel

Answer 4

Starter solenoid or the starter.

If i had to guess the solenoid is on the top of the starter.

Look at the starter it should have 3 wires 2 large one small.

One large wire will be coming from the battery other large wire will go into the starter. The small wire will just be hook into the front somewhere. If you short over the two large wires(threaded posts) with a screw driver, it should start. Watch out make sure you're not in gear. If it does start it's your solenoid. If it just makes a click it's the starter/battery/cable problem.

Answer 5

sounds like a typical starter problem to me. if you can get underneath the vehicle and locate the starter, try tapping it near the middle of the the round part, not the squared part "lightly" a few times with a small hammer. this will "jar" the brushes and solenoid contacts a little and help them make contact causing it to start fine for a few times. if this works, have the starter replaced. do not hit it too hard or the core value of the starter will be ruined. good luck.
gary d

Answer 6

i have a 87 toyota that did the same thing for months, if the battery cables aren't corroded, the problem is the brushes in the starter, but if your not sure take the starter off and take it to a starter/altenater rebuilder, they can test the starter for you and most times can rebuild it cheaper than buying another one....

Answer 7

It is the starter,we see them bad on Toyota's all the time in the garage I work at.By repeatedly turning the key you slowly work the starter past the dead spot.

Answer 8

Based on your supplied information, i would suggest replacing the starter motor. The problem is in the starter solenoid,which you are better off replacing the unit rather than repairing it.

Answer 9

cables to the starter (check to see if they are getting hot. this means they have high resistance in them stopping the juice getting to it.)
starter itself (maybe rooted)
earth strap (the wire from the battery to the chassis and the engine block is always too small. make a fat one up to go to the chassis and the block separately)
check to see if the ignition switch is actually sending currnet to the starter

start there

Answer 10

have the solenoid and starter checked really sounds like the starter is bad,i usually have the starter and solenoid replaced at the same time so there won't be any problems down the road