[XxRODERIGOxX]

So I just installed the optima yellow top on its side in my truck, and for a few days it has slid a few times, its not secured yet because im waiting on a spacer. Anyway, For a couple days, it hasnt started the first few times i try. it would just click once. It turn it a few times and then it would start. Well tonight when i started it, it was running really rough, so i turned it off, and then.... It would make a winding noise and wind down, then it would keep running. With no key in the ignition...After a couple tries it finally turned off...

When i look at my battery, it looks like the smaller ground wire (i have a fat one, and then a small one running from it) well that ground wire was broken loose from the battery cable...

Any advice on how to fix this? I have no idea, and am stuck without my truck, i was hoping for a quick fix i could do tonight.

 

[XxRODERIGOxX]

Anybody? Since it starts up fine after the first 3 tries it doesnt seem like the starter. could it just be that my ground on my negative battery cable was disconnected from the body?

 

[Tacominator]

You're up late or early like me! Sounds like dieseling when it won't turn off... Not your starter unless it never shut off- you should be able to hear this. You need to fix those cables! You're starter contacts may be sticking as well due to an amperage spike with bad connections/ no connection to something... Put a 2x4 or something under that battery until you get the spacer too. Check your terminals, fix all your cables and then pull the starter and check the contacts. You can buy just the contacts from a good alternator shop.

 

[Tacominator]

If it's you can hear the starter clicking when you turn the key and it and it doesn't turn over, it's probably your contacts. I would avoid a autozone type starter too... Sorry I can't help more, sounds like compound problems with it running after ign off etc.

 

[XxRODERIGOxX]

If it's you can hear the starter clicking when you turn the key and it and it doesn't turn over, it's probably your contacts. I would avoid a autozone type starter too... Sorry I can't help more, sounds like compound problems with it running after ign off etc.

thank you soo much. Im on 2 hours sleep for the past 2 nights. Im heading to napa after class. right now i have to drive with no battery... just dropping it in to start it.. Now its not having the not turning off issue, but i do need to re run longer battery cables and re ground them. then i will check the contacts with the starter. THANKS hope this works.

 

[BMWTACO]

I had a 95.5 v6 tacoma that I put 4 starters in. When they would fail, they would usually click a few times before engaging. Then they would sometimes stick on, the truck would start, but the starter would keep turning. Terrible, terrible noise. I probably would have only needed to change it once, but I bought an inexpensive "lifetime warranty" reman from a parts store and had to change it 3 times before I got one that worked properly for more than a few weeks.

 

[XxRODERIGOxX]

I had a 95.5 v6 tacoma that I put 4 starters in. When they would fail, they would usually click a few times before engaging. Then they would sometimes stick on, the truck would start, but the starter would keep turning. Terrible, terrible noise. I probably would have only needed to change it once, but I bought an inexpensive "lifetime warranty" reman from a parts store and had to change it 3 times before I got one that worked properly for more than a few weeks.

how hard were they to change out? Is there a way to test a starter like you would an alternator?

 

[tbplus10]

Dont replace the starter, replace the contacs and plunger, much cheaper, and just as easy.
The starter comes out the pass fender, unless you have a bodylift then you can squeeze it between the floor and the steering rack. The starter has only two bolts and the wires holding it in.
Contacts and plunger can be replaced under the truck with the starter unbolted but not removed from the engine bay.
It's a 1-2 hour job depending on mechanical ability. This is a task someone with little mech ability can tackle and complete.
If you want the directions PM me, I did a write-up on it. Might be on the Norcal board also.

Parts run $35 from trdparts4u

Tim

 

[AK95Taco]

"tbplus10" is dead on, this is a standard problem with all Nippondenso gear reduction starters. I can almost gurantee when you pull the contact they will be worn and sticking. You can get replacement contact from any auto electric place for like $10. If I remmeber correctly our Tacomas use one "extended" cotact and one "normal" contact compared to the older toy trucks.

 

[XxRODERIGOxX]

Got it all fixed it seems. I just ran new and longer battery cables. replaced the old ones, new connections. and fixed the ground.. Now is is not clicking, and not dieseling.. sounds like i just got lucky and got away with 20 bucks spent and an hour of work. Thanks for all the responses.