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1990 Toyota EFI Engine won't crank "SOMETIMES"

Sent to Car Experts June 23 2005 at 6:29 AM
   

I have a 1990 Toyota Pick-up EFI engine. I have a starting problems that is intermittant. At times, I turn the ignition key and the engine starts as normal. Other times, I get all the dash lights and indications that the engine will start, but, I here a click at the starter but the engine won't crank. However, if I smack the starter motor a couple times with a pipe or hammer while someone turns the key, it will start or sometimes if I just try again in a few minutes it will start. So far nine different "Mechanics" looked at it. I am on my tenth NEW Starter, I've changed the wires, changed the battery, changed the ignition switch, installed a heat shield around the starter and even changed the flywheel. Yet the problem persists.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $200
Answer
June 23 2005 at 6:46 AM (17 minutes and 38 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
have you checked the ground strap from the motor to the cowl? also is this a automatic or standard? either way you have a safety switch on the transmisson. not sure where they are located, but if its a automatic will be easy to locate. standard may be on the inside around the pedal. by you hitting the car with a pipe you can jar it in position to work.
Joe Barcus -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 23 Car Accepts
50 yrs old lol
Reply
June 23 2005 at 7:02 AM (15 minutes and 22 seconds later)
         
Reply to Joe Barcus's Post: We have checked the safety switch which is activated while in Park or Nuetral. Found no problem there. The starter will engage when I hit the starter, not the car. I am not sure about the grounding strap, but the truck is at a garage right now I will make a phone call and have them check.....Grounding wires are connected.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 23 2005 at 9:44 AM (2 hours and 42 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
well have you looked at the wiring harness that connects at the firewall. usally only has one bolt in it, sometimes connections fail in that area. if the starter isnt kicking in than it has to be a wire not getting its ground or +
Joe Barcus -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 23 Car Accepts
50 yrs old lol
Reply
June 23 2005 at 12:53 PM (3 hours and 9 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
Reply to Joe Barcus's Post: The entire wire harness from the ignition switch to the starter has been replaced two months ago. If, you place your hand on the starter while the problem is occurring and someone attempts to start the truck, you can feel and here a thumping in the starter as if the pinion gear was hitting the flywheel rather than meshing the gears properly. However, the starter itself does not activate. It is as if the gear of the starter might be getting stuck in the out position on the flywheel. My thought was that was why when I smack it with something, it starts to work. The smack jars it free. I will double check the harness connection. Keep in mind that you can attempt to start the truck for hours with no luck, then come back in five minutes and the truck starts as if nothing was wrong.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
June 23 2005 at 2:29 PM (1 hour and 35 minutes and 52 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
Is it an automatic or standard trans?Where are you buying the starters?
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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1955 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
June 23 2005 at 3:04 PM (34 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo/diablo666's Post: Thanks for your reply.
It is an automatic. The starters have come from serveral different sources including Toyota. Four were purchased "NEW", six were rebuilds. However, two of the garages that worked on the truck are over 150 miles from the others, and one was a Toyota Dealership. So I dought they are using the same supplier for the starters.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 24 2005 at 2:24 AM (11 hours and 20 minutes and 33 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
You must have a power or ground problem.An electrical motor that is operated with low voltage or current flow will overheat and burn itself out.I would replace the battery cables just in case they are corroded inside the insulation.The starter may not even be bad it could be a current flow problem.Be full aware that the gound path is just as impotant as the power supply.If you know how or the garage knows how some one needs to start voltage drop testing the electrical circuits on your truck.Please click on accept if this answer helps you.I f it helps you very much you may add a bonus if you wish.
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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1955 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
June 24 2005 at 8:15 AM (5 hours and 50 minutes and 17 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo/diablo666's Post: The entire wire harness and ALL cables and the battery have been replaced in April. The starter that is on the truck now has been put on three weeks age together with a heat shroud to keep any manifold or engine heat off it. I'm not real sure what voltage drop testing entails, but I do know they did alot of checking with an OHMS meter.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 24 2005 at 5:11 PM (8 hours and 56 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1955 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
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