1988 22re 180k+ I turn the key and get a click. Doesn't turnover, just hear a click. I can try 10 times and the 11th time it will start right up. Sometimes it's on the 3rd try sometimes on the 1st and sometimes on the 20th At first I thought it was the starter but now I'm thinking some other electric component like a relay. Another thing that is weird. I can turn a bunch of times and only get the 'click'. but If it just cranks once and I stop before the truck starts. I can try again and it will crank perfectly again. like after it cranks that one time, then its good and I don't get the 'click' Any ideas? or definitely the starter?
My 84 has had the same issue since I put it together several years ago. Sometimes it'll start on the first turn of the key, others it's the 20th. If I hit it with jumper cables or the boost setting on my battery charger it always starts on the first tickle of the key. I've installed heavy duty battery cables, brand new battery, new starter, replaced the excite wire to the solenoid etc. When I have time I'm going to swap in a relay to excite the solenoid and upgrade the grounds.
With the miles on your truck and the symptoms you describe, I suspect your starter contacts are worn and need replacing. You can get them from the Stealership for a few bucks each. If you have something else to drive, yank the old starter, remove the contacts, and take them to the stealership to make sure you get the correct ones. They have several. Reinstall them in the starter and reinstall the starter. Viola.....good as new.
This. I sell those all day. Most common problem i see it that they wear unevenly since they are both different lengths at the end.
Here's a link, I believe to a thread when I was having a similar problem. http://www.toyotaminis.com/forum/maintenance-repair-26/electrical-gremlins-13169/ Or search for a thread called electrical gremlins started by me. I did the fix Truck Action suggested and haven't had a starting issue since.
Once the contacts wear down a bit, there's too much space for the magnetic field to work....so Truck Action's fix of considerably increasing the power to what generates that magnetic field will probably work even with the worn'est contacts.
I went ahead and tried this out and bought some generic relay that pretty much looks exactly like the one you had in the pictures. But no luck, same speratic symptoms. But while I was under there I did notice a sticker on the bottom of my starter that read "remanufactured" so it appears the previous owner swapped out the old OEM for this lower grade reman-part. So assuming I'll be buying a new starter today I guess
I just fixed this issue on my 84 last weekend. I used 12 gauge audio power cable and a lawnmower starter solenoid. Starts every tickle of the key now.
I'm very surprised that what I stated did not work. The use of the Ford solenoid fixes the problem. Just replacing the starter or contacts works for a while than the problem is back!! I know did all that!! After the mod I have not had the recurrence!!!!!!
If the starter motor still turns over fine, you should get the contacts from toyota and open it up....Or open it up and check the contacts first? They're cheap and I'm curious That's probably all they replace in a rebuilt toyota starter anyway...
The relay fix done correctly will work. You can also use your existing relay, you just have to cut the 12 volt source wire and route it to the battery. With a fuse of course. Did this myself. Starting problems for ten years before I found this fix posted somewhere. Don't know why Toyota use the 12volt source from the switch. Kind of defeats the purpose of using a relay. A wiring diagram will help. Jerry
Just to follow up here is some good info on this fix and why intermittent starting is an issue with all parts replaced. Tech Tip: FREE Starter fix - YotaTech Forums
