Starter has power but car doesn't start

[karl4783]

I have an 87 supra turbo, runs great and starts right up, but lately it's gotten to where it takes a bit to turn over then starts up, then moved on to the starter works when it wants to. When it doesn't start it gives one click and then nothing, its a new battery and all accessories work great such as lights and stereo.

What i've found is that this is a pretty common problem and usually has something to do with bad connections or a problem with the anti-theft system being connected to the relay. As far as I can tell, the connections are all good. I think a push start would be pretty neat anyway, so the question I have is what is the easiest way to hook up the push start, mainly dealing with where the wires need to go to, i.e. the starter relay, directly to the starter, etc.

 

[gofastgeorge]

Most likely the contacts in the starter solenoid have went bad.
Starter clicks because the solenoid is moving, but the contacts are fried, so they don't pass enough currant for the starter motor to have any torque.

Toyota used to sell just the replacement contacts, but I don't know if they still do.
If not, it's new starter time.........

 

[toyotanos]

My dealer still sells them, usually $35 for the set (doesn't mean your local dealer will stock them, though). You'll need to bring them in to match them up, too.

 

[--Golli]

Follow this: http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76403

I had the same problem till I followed that write up.
I only did it this morning, but usually it wouldn't start once a day, and it hasn't happened at all today! :icon_razz

 

[karl4783]

Ok, thanks, that was quite the little thread on that...

But to clarify, from battery to relay, relay to starter-both wires on opposing sides;
and from ground to relay, from the relay to (brown wire going to starter from the old relay)? because if that is it, i dont quite get why it would work

 

[radiod]

What you are doing is you are using the existing wire from the original starter relay as a signal wire instead of using it as a wire to supply power.

The problem is that the original wire isn't carrying the voltage as nicely as though it were new. So instead of rewiring all the way back to the starter relay, you are essentially putting in a closer power source so that resistance isn't nearly as much of an issue with fresh wires.

I'm in the middle of doing the mod myself.

 

[karl4783]

Ooooh ok, because the idea is that there is still slight current running through that wire? makes sense, chances are I'll do that this weekend, thanks for the help everyone

 

[karl4783]

so i just today got my relay, and i explained the whole thing to a guy at a parts store and he said a normal 30 amp relay for like 4 bucks may not be the best thing and recommended like an actual starter relay with way higher amperage rating, is this gonna be a problem in any way? also, what inline fuse should be used between the battery and the relay?

 

[radiod]

Wiring diagram for the starting system:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TEWD/MK3/manual.aspx?S=Main&P=038

Seeing as what you are tapping in to only has a 40A fuse at the beginning of the loop, a 30/40A relay would be fine. If I'm not mistaken, most starter relays aren't more than 30/40A, people just have to pay more because that relay has to plug in to the dealer's pigtail/socket/harness.

 

[karl4783]

Finally did it today, went surprisingly fast, but the problem is still somewhat there. It used to not start at all, and now with the relay mod, it'll just take a couple twists of the ignition (sometimes i turn they key and it does that single click, and after a couple times of turning the key it'll start right up) I did a solid wiring job with good connectors and all, so i dont see how that could be a problem. I guess it's ok because at least im 95% it'll start, but if anyone's had this problem and knew what it was, i'd love to know!