Starter

My 1999 Toyota 4Runner wouldn’t start, I had someone look at it and was told the starter was bad, so I changed it, I also got a new battery, terminals and starter relay from the local parts place and all it does now is click, still doesn’t start any ideas or help would be appreciated
A

 

Bad battery cables or ground or Seized motor.

The system is simple enough. Something should turn if your battery is new and the cables can supply the juice to the starter.

A "click" tells me the ignition key is working.

On the first try, did you hear the starter try to engage? Like a quick "thunk" then on subsequent tries, only a click? That would indicate a possible seized motor. (starter throwout gear is bound up on an unmoving engine)

Since starters seem to rarely go bad on these cars...I'm thinking it's probably not the starter....more like cables/connection. Did you have your old starter tested?

Do you still have the old one? I don't trust anything from a parts store anymore.

 

So are u saying my engine needs to be replaced?

 

No. I'm saying you need to figure out what is happening.

The worst case is the engine is seized. The best case...just a bad connection that you haven't found.

 

If it ran fine before the no start issue, it's likely the starter (again). I have a 2005 4runner and have had to replace 4 starters over the years. They seem to last 4 years. I replaced the OEM starter, and three more after that.

You can get them for $100 at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=starter+...rter+4runner,aps,274&ref=nb_sb_ss_ac-o-p_2_15.

 

Uhh...thanks for the warning?

I've had the same starter for 18 years. Most 3rd gen starters never wear out they just need new relay contacts.

Cheap starters are just going to cost you headaches every 4 years.

 

"Since starters seem to rarely go bad on these cars...I'm thinking it's probably not the starter....more like cables/connection. Did you have your old starter tested?" - negusm

I've had 4 starters go bad on my 2005 V6 4 runner. Bought the 4runner new off the T dealer's lot. Original OEM failed after 4 years. Replacements failed every 4 years on average. The current starter has been in there 3 years.

Easy replacing - just two bolts for smart mechanic!

I had the OEM rebuilt by a professional dealer's shop and it failed in 1 year. Go new from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/toyota-4runner-starter/s?k=toyota+4runner+starter

$111 DB Electrical 410-52161 Starter Compatible With/Replacement For Toyota Tacoma & Tundra 4.0L 4.0 05-09 2005-2009 & 4Runner 03-09 2003-2009 FJ Cruiser 07 08 09

DB Electrical SND0491 New Starter For Toyota Tacoma & Tundra 4.0L 4.0 05 06 07 08 09 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 & 4Runner 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 FJ Cruiser 07 08 09

$111 DB Electrical 410-52161 Starter Compatible With/Replacement For Toyota Tacoma & Tundra 4.0L 4.0 05-09 2005-2009 & 4Runner 03-09 2003-2009 FJ Cruiser 07 08 09

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$102.52$102.52

PS.. My 4runner was build in Japan and was never landed in USA.

PSS. I keep a NEW spare starter ($99 from Amazon) in the garage - just in case.

I've wondered since the 4runner is in Nassau Bahamas if the heat, rain and humidity don't have something to do with this. 4runner is garaged every night. Also, a starter in Nassau sees 5 times as many starts as one in Miami.

In 15 years of ownership (150,000 miles) 4runner is on its original water pump and alternator. No rust on the 4runner body anywhere. I had a new GM Jimmy that rusted away so bad I sold it for $800 after ten years and 79,000 miles. I swore then I'd never buy a GM product again! The driver's side door was about to fall off from "rust".

 

4 starters is a ridiculous number of bad starters. Out of all the cars I've had and all the years I've driven...I have never ever had a starter go bad. Well maybe the 1930 Buick needs a rebuild...it's getting slow but that starter is 6v and 90 years old!

I would avoid your starter rebuilder too. He sucks.

A starter simply should never go bad in less than 10 years unless it has a major engineering defect.