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Sometimes my 3rd gen starts right up and sometimes it makes a single click

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by celeritas, Jul 29, 2020.

  1. Jul 29, 2020 at 4:05 PM
    #1
    celeritas

    #1
    celeritas [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    First Name:
    Chris
    Vehicle:
    1999 4runner limited
    My 1999 limited starts right up but it sometimes makes a single click and may take several time to engage starter. Battery, starter relay, and connections are good.
     
    celeritas, Jul 29, 2020
    #1
  2. Jul 29, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #2
    celeritas

    #2
    celeritas [OP] New Member

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    1999 4runner limited
    Should I replace the starter?
     
    celeritas, Jul 29, 2020
    #2
  3. Jul 29, 2020 at 4:17 PM
    #3
    flyinhoot

    #3
    flyinhoot When in doubt, Throttle out.

    Joined:
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    Monochrome everything. LED reverse lights.
    Starter most likely. the bearing(s) is/are going bad so sometimes it lines up right and starts and other times the motor binds and you get the click.
     
    flyinhoot, Jul 29, 2020
    #3
  4. Jul 29, 2020 at 9:33 PM
    #4
    Trekker

    #4
    Trekker Regular Member

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    Yes you probably should if its on its original starter motor. I just got mine replaced because it was 23 years old.
     
    Trekker, Jul 29, 2020
    #4
  5. Aug 3, 2020 at 11:21 AM
    #5
    negusm

    #5
    negusm New Member

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    I would suspect your cables first.

    Cables rot from the inside out. and they get goofy. If you get a "click" like that...with a good battery...turn on your lights. The power draw slightly reverses the corrosion and you can turn it over on the second turn of the key.

    After a while it will just get worse.

    Your starter sounds fine to me.
     
    negusm, Aug 3, 2020
    #5
  6. Aug 8, 2020 at 10:13 PM
    #6
    Clutchplate

    #6
    Clutchplate New Member

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    96 4runner 3.4 Liter
    Your starter contacts are worn. Dealer has replacement contacts for around $10. I couldn't get starter out from under truck so I replaced my contacts while starter was hanging from bottom of truck.
     
    Clutchplate, Aug 8, 2020
    #6
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