4Runner started on its own

We have a ‘99 4Runner Ltd., have had it for about 12 years. Been having trouble with the starter - we get the click, turn off/on, click, turn off/on, etc until it finally starts. It had been 5-10 times until this week. Yesterday, hubby tried over 100 times before it finally started. Went and did the things he needed to do and came home.

Next time he started it on the first try. Came home, turned it off and was sitting out there smoking a cigarette when it started by itself with the key in his hand. He couldn’t get it to shut off. Ran through the house to get his tools and unhooked the battery to shut it off. He was afraid it was going to catch on fire.

We have already purchased a new Denso starter, wiring harness, and something else. Hubby has not changed out anything yet. We have never had remote start. The key fob died a long time ago, so we just use the key to unlock, which we have to do on the passenger side, otherwise the alarm goes off.

So clearly we have some issues, but we are most concerned about it starting on its own. I’ve seen threads about this problem before, and quite a few people suggest exorcisms or drug tests , but this is real.

Thoughts? And thank you in advance.

 

Wow. That’s quite the problem. By chance “the something else” was it the starter relay? Something is telling me it’s the relay causing the issue. When I have issues such as this, I go to YouTube and type in Viking Garage. Pick any of his videos and add your question about this to the comment section. He is a factory trained Toyota mechanic and a 4Runner guy. He is so nice and quickly responds. Subscribe to his channel. He is a good guy.

 

Thank you so much, morfdq!! I sent hubby a screenshot of your post. We will definitely do that!!
❤️❤️

 

No problem. Sometimes it’s best to get advice before you just throwing parts at it. I was just reading a post about a blower motor continuously running even when the key was out. The guy thought it was an ignition switch. NOPE. Thought it was a relay. NOPE. Thought it was the blower motor. NOPE. Finally took it in. Mechanic found two wires in the fuse box had the insulation worn down and the bare wires were touching. 20 cents worth of electrical tape and 120.00 for the mechanics time and problem solved. My point isn’t to discourage you from trying to self diagnose, just to know when to just stop. Listen. It took me 40 years to listen to that advice myself. You don’t know how many times I just kept going and going and going. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and that whatever the fix is that it’s any easy fix.