Igintion problem....please help.

[89whitepkg]

Okay, so I comming to you guys to help bail me out once again. as always thanks in advance.

Here is the prolem: Sometimes the car will not start, it does not even try it just makes a click noise once. It is 50/50 when it will start.

Here is the known: The battery and alternator are new. The car is charging at up to 13.4 volts when running. When I go to start the car it says 12 volts. I hit the ignition, and it drops to 10 or 11 volts. Then once I let go of the key it will jump back up to 12 volts. So I don't think the prolem is a low battery. If I roll the car and put it in gear it starts up fine every time.

Here are my thoughts: Based on expirences with other cars I would think it is one of three things, starter, solenoid, or starter relay.

Here are my questions: Where is the solenoid and starter relay? Is there any way that I can test either of the things with out haveing to buy and replace both of them. If the starter is going bad would it still work some of the time? If there is no way that you can test with out relpacing parts, what order would you go in?

Thanks

 

[jdub]

I would follow the TSRM trouble shoot sequence:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/manual.aspx?Section=ST&P=2

The starter is on the driver's side, below the intake manifold, forward of the tranny down low.

Yes, if other parts beside the starter motor itself is bad, it can experience intermittent failures.

Before replacing the starter (it's a PITA...the solenoid is part of it), I'd make sure it's not the battery cables, relay or clutch start switch. BTW - excellent way to ask a question

 

[89whitepkg]

Problem Solved: I went through TRSM, and decided that the starter was the problem ( I'm thinking the solenoid is the issue rather than the starter motor it self.) This may sound funny but my brothers MKIII is parked in my garage right now so I nabbed the starter from his car and put it on mine, and it works just fine now! I went ahead and ordered a new one, but it will take several days to get here and this car is my daily driver.

So, for now problem solved and my car is running just fine with my stolen starter...haha.

Thanks to jdub!

 

[nosman4]

Well unless you ordered a toyota starter motor and really want a new one I would cancel your order. I would be willing to bet that it's just the starter contacts that are bad. They are extremely cheap to replace and easy to do also. Even your starter motor with new contacts will probably be better than most aftermarket starters anyways. I have done many sets of starter contacts and I am just trying to save you some money.

 

[89whitepkg]

Well unless you ordered a toyota starter motor and really want a new one I would cancel your order. I would be willing to bet that it's just the starter contacts that are bad. They are extremely cheap to replace and easy to do also. Even your starter motor with new contacts will probably be better than most aftermarket starters anyways. I have done many sets of starter contacts and I am just trying to save you some money.

I would really like some more information about this, like where to get the contacts, and how exactly how to do it. Are the contacts the same as the brushes refered to in the TSRM?
Thanks