FIXED: 2000 SR5 4x4 won't crank, ideas?

My 2000 4runner has ~232K on it, been running and starting fine

Toyota battery is almost 3 years old, so was already ready to replace it...

I was at the Toyota dealership, picking up some parts I intended to use this weekend...

I came out and it would not crank...

no slow cranking, no click, no nothing...

horn honks, windows work fine...I put a boost box on it, and same thing

checked the battery, and all connections tight and no corrosion

I wondered if the alarm starter cutoff was on, so I cycled the alarm and even tried the remote start...same thing, would not even click

lucky I was in front of the dealer when it happened, and they gave me a 2024 SR5 4runner as a loaner

any ideas? I didn't whack the starter, figured if it was bad...I'd rather find out now than later

 

Whack it.

 

any other suggestions?

 

Sounds like a bad starter relay? If no click, I doubt it's the starter.

 

Its the alarm. If it has remote start then its an aftermarket piece of crap. Remove main fuse to alarm. See if that helps?

 

I have not talked to the dealer yet, but their text system sent me a message...

said tech could not duplicate problem, and battery needed to be replaced...

I don't think this is the only problem because it acted the same way with my battery booster on it...

I'm the 2nd owner, bought the truck in August 2004 and had the Clifford Intelliguard 900 alarm installed in December 2004
alarm has never given me any problems, and I have not replaced the starter yet in 20 years and 232K miles, so its gotta be tired too

when the dealer calls me, gonna talk about replacing the starter and ask about the alarm too

Its a less than 3 year old toyota battery, so should be some warranty on it

 

You dropped off a broke down 2000 4R at the dealership? Hope you got a new credit card?

 

Starters never go bad on these. I really doubt it's the problem.

Dealer should be able to diagnose with a simple multimeter. The starting system is not complicated.

 

I was at the dealer picking up $9 worth of screws and interior molding tabs, when I came out and it would not start...was just by chance I was at the dealer when it happened

I've had the same Toyota dealership tech working on my car for years, so I trust them more than others...but my tech is on July 4th vacay, so got some random guy

I don't have a new credit card, but feel like I just got a big raise...yesterday I separated from my GF of 15 years, and now the 2024 Camry I bought for her to drive goes back into my stable

thanks for the info on the starter @negusm

I will let you guys know what they dealer says and how much I get bent over...so y'all can laugh at me

 

well update from the dealer...

they said it was only the battery, no need for starter or anything else...

Im still skeptical, all windows and even horn worked...and not even a starter click

$280 total for:
-oil change
-state inspection
-diagnose and replace toyota battery...last toyota battery was done October 21, so I got a pro rated warranty discount

they also gave me a 2024 4Runner as a loaner will fixing my 2000

 

Starter draws 109374973493x more current that lights horns/etc.

 

Also, if this happens again, suspect your battery cables. Had a similar issue and had to replace about 8" of negative battery cable. Also, wore out a TOYOTA battery in 11 months. Got a new battery for free and then I fixed the cable and that battery has been going strong for years now.

Battery cables will corrode from inside out and you won't know it. And they are murder on batteries.

 

Thanks for the tip on the battery cables,
I already learned that lesson with my positive cable and now stay on top of battery maintenance

no issues with starting since getting my battery replaced