Starter or relay
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
Starter or relay
Tried to start the car and it just clicked once, turned it off and tried again and it just clicked once. Third time it clicked and half a second later it started turning over. When I came out of the store, it started right up.
So could it be the starter or the relay?
Is there a way to test the relay?
Thanks!!
So could it be the starter or the relay?
Is there a way to test the relay?
Thanks!!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Could be a poor battery cable connection, take em off (neg first) and clean everything and replace (neg last). Or you could have worn contacts. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, two large copper contacts are forced together which switch 12 v to the starter motor. These contacts get blackened and pitted with use and eventually don't make a low enough resistance to supply the 100+ amps the starter motor requires. Continued clicking the starter and eventually cranking and starting is a symptom. You can replace these contacts yourself for a lot less than a rebuilt or new starter and solenoid.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Madison WI
I agree with the solenoid contacts as I've had two cars do the same thing. The starter is a Nippon Denso which are found on Toyotas. If you do a search online you can find these contacts for $6 a piece and you need two and possibly the plunger. A local starter place or Toyota dealer will have them. I've seen instructions on how to change them online too but it's pretty easy once you drop the starter to see what to do and how worn the brass parts are.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
You can use a long handle screw driver and jump together the 'S' terminal on the solenoid and the 12V post at the starter. If the engine cranks, it's the solenoid because you would have just by-passed the solenoid.
On some cars access can be gained from the top, on others the car has to be on jack stands to access those two terminals. If you have to go down under, make SURE the car is solidly on jack stands, emergency brake set, ignition key removed and trans in park or neutral.
BE SAFE.
Jake
On some cars access can be gained from the top, on others the car has to be on jack stands to access those two terminals. If you have to go down under, make SURE the car is solidly on jack stands, emergency brake set, ignition key removed and trans in park or neutral.
BE SAFE.
Jake
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
Could be a poor battery cable connection, take em off (neg first) and clean everything and replace (neg last). Or you could have worn contacts. At the end of the starter solenoid stroke, two large copper contacts are forced together which switch 12 v to the starter motor. These contacts get blackened and pitted with use and eventually don't make a low enough resistance to supply the 100+ amps the starter motor requires. Continued clicking the starter and eventually cranking and starting is a symptom. You can replace these contacts yourself for a lot less than a rebuilt or new starter and solenoid.
And is there any instructions for doing this?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
You can use a long handle screw driver and jump together the 'S' terminal on the solenoid and the 12V post at the starter. If the engine cranks, it's the solenoid because you would have just by-passed the solenoid.
On some cars access can be gained from the top, on others the car has to be on jack stands to access those two terminals. If you have to go down under, make SURE the car is solidly on jack stands, emergency brake set, ignition key removed and trans in park or neutral.
BE SAFE.
Jake
On some cars access can be gained from the top, on others the car has to be on jack stands to access those two terminals. If you have to go down under, make SURE the car is solidly on jack stands, emergency brake set, ignition key removed and trans in park or neutral.
BE SAFE.
Jake
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Madison WI
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml
or
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html
I don't recall which style it is so you may have to take your starter out and check unless someone knows off hand.
or
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/Nippondenso.html
I don't recall which style it is so you may have to take your starter out and check unless someone knows off hand.
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