my 1993 toyota pickup wont start, why?

it just makes one click when i turn the ignition. i replaces the starter, because thats what the dealership said, no joy.

please help!!

Reply to
ryanjboutin
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Well, that's what you get for letting someone else diagnose your problem for you!

What you're seeing is a classic case of not tnough voltage at the starter. How's your battery? In the second half of its expected life? One quick and dirty check is to measure the voltage across the terminals. You should see about 12.5 volts with no load (everything off). If less than 12 volts you have a problem.

What is the condition of the starter cables? Ground strap? If the battery checks out OK, before you start replacing expensive parts, do a voltage drop test as described here:

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And yes, you will need an inexpensive multimeter. In the US they're commonly available for about ten dollars.

-- Mike Harris Austin, TX

Reply to
Mike Harris

If your voltage is just a little low, try removing the battery cable clamps from the battery and cleaning both them and the battery posts. Both should be cleaned until they have a shiny metallic appearance.

Also, howe old is your battery? They should be replaced after 5 years max. regardless of whether they are still finstioning. They tend to build up material on the plates which slowly reduces theire effectivenes.

Reply to
crashq
12.66 across the batter, which is fairly new. the battery posts are fine. i really dont think its the batter, because when i got stuck initially, i tried to jump it, and nothing happened that wasnt already happening, plus my compressor still kicks on when i need air.
Reply to
ryanjboutin

(gives OP a funny look) - what do you think the AC compressor has to do with your non-start problem?

...never mind, try the voltage drop test. Don't bother with a resistance (continuity) test, it can't tell you what the starter circuit is doing under full amperage load. For example, if your cable has an internal break of all but one strand, its continuity will test fine. When the starter tries sucking amps through that tiny strand the available voltage will be minimal.

-- Mike Harris Austin, TX

Reply to
Mike Harris

i dont have AC. my air compressor kicks on. anyways, theres plenty of juice going to the starter, and the wires are fine. i guess ill go replace the battery for the heck of it. anymore ideas?

Reply to
ryanjboutin

Yeah. Don't ask for advice if you don't intend to follow it. Go ahead and replace a perfectly good battery if you wish; it's your money.

*killfiles OP*

-- Mike Harris Austin, TX

Reply to
Mike Harris

i didnt say i wasnt going to try to voltage drop test. i have to wait until my roomate gets back so i can do the test. plus i checked the cables, and they are all fine. whats OP?

Reply to
ryanjboutin

HOw many miles do you have on your truck and have you replaced/rebuilt the starter. I replaced the starter on my 92 after about 175k miles.

Withonly one click happening on your starter, it is not getting enough juice to activater the solenoid and kic the starter gear out to the flywheel more than once. This can be an electrical problem or a dead starter ( worn out brushes etc.) Usually the dead starter gives an indication that it is dying for a little whilefirtst, but mine had one dead spot that was really problematic. If it stopped on that spot, it would barely work, but it was fine on any other spot.

If you can't find the problem, pull the satrer and have it tested at your local auto parts store.

Reply to
crashq

Here is a stupid question, you replace the starter but did you replace the starter solenoid? Some people sell them seperately, another test is to take a long screwdriver across the positive lead of the starter and starter solenoid to see if the engine kicks over.

Reply to
Tony

i replaced the starter and solenoid at the same time, one day ago. the truck has 116k. the starter gave no indication it was going bad

Reply to
ryanjboutin

I recall having a similar issue with my starter - just a click. I pulled it out and sure enough the brushes were gone. If I recall correctly, I replaced the brushes and all was well. It is very easy to test the starter after you have it off of the engine. Just hook it up with jumper cables. But make sure you got it held down somehow, because it has some decent torque! I didn't and after I repaired it and checked it again, it jumped! and scared the heck out of me! :)

The hardest thing to do was getting the starter off and out - not to mention braille'ing the nut and bolt - but there is a special contortion that slips it right out and back in.

darn, it's been at least 150K since I did that, I wonder if I should preemptively redo it...

But defintely check the battery and connections first, including the engine ground.

-jim

ryanjbout> i replaced the starter and solenoid at the same time, one day ago. the

Reply to
jim

I have a '93 Mazda MPV that recently did the click-thing. I bought a starter AND a battery (the starter was the original, and 13 years seemed reasonable and the car was in for transmission service anyway so another $125 wasn't a big deal, and the battery was on 68 months of a 72 month life span) but the real problem was a flaky Ignition Bypass that was part of the central locking/alarm system. I disconnected the alarm portion of the system -- dealer option that I installed many years ago -- and the engine fired right up.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

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