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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Trucks / September 2005

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'98 4Runner starting problem

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bird_222@my-deja.com - 26 Sep 2005 15:30 GMT
I have a 1998 4Runner with a 4 cylinder engine.  I tried to start it
this morning and it took 3 times for it to start.  The first two times
it seemed like the battery was dead (i.e. no engine noise) however the
radio came on (I can't remember if any of the dash lights were on).
The third time it started right up.  I took it to AutoZone and they
said the battery, alternator and starter were fine.  This may be
unrelated but I will mention them anyway.  A few days ago I noticed
that my clock seemed really dim.  Since then it has been fine.  Also
for quite sometime now, I have been having intermittent problems with
getting power from the cigarette lighter socket.

Any ideas?

TIA
cmiddlet66@hotmail.com - 27 Sep 2005 13:02 GMT
I have recently been having the same problem with my 98 4 Runner 6
cylinder (146,000 miles).  I had the battery replaced and the
alternator tested fine at two seperate toyota dealerships.

The engine usually turns right over - 1st try, but I notice that if the
truck sits for a few days, it has a tendency to not start on first try.
Sometimes I here a clicking noise coming from the left side of the
engine when I turn the key.  When this happens, it will start after
subsequent tries three or four times turning the key.  The dealerships
that I go to have been unable to duplicate the problem, so this has not
been fixed and it is still an issue.

If anyone has any insight as to what the problem could be, please let
me know.

TIA
1 of the Masses - 28 Sep 2005 04:35 GMT
We, too, have a 2WD in-line four 4Runner (86K) and so far nothing like that
in the first description, it cranks, though there's been times when it took
a second key-turn to start-not like the description.
So I checked all the grounds, checked the battery, checked the plugs,
cleaned the air filter though it didn't need it, checked the rotor and cap
and chipped off that little bit of aluminum oxide and it still does it from
time to time.  Checked all the lines, checked electrical connections,
tested the engine.  Compression is fine, everything seems to be fine.  I
even tried wiggling wires and drinking coffee while standing on one foot
and eyed the neighbor's cat as a sacrifice to the gods.  I know what you
mean though, that hesitancy to start.  The people on this NG are really
sharp and someone probably has an answer.
shan_rayman - 29 Sep 2005 05:59 GMT
I have the exact same problem. I turn the key and it clicks one time for
every key turn or one time for every clutch push.  Eventually it starts
and runs fine though. I thought it was the battery so I replaced it and it
didn't work. 1 dealership said there was nothing mechanically wrong with my
car maybe it was the clutch switch.  I replaced it. It didn't work.  The
next dealership said it must be the battery and the starter.  Since I
previously replaced the battery I think they are giving me a line.  
 I'm thinking it is the positive battery cable from the battery to the
starter since the problem is intermittent. Some days it starts right up
other days it takes 10 mins.  I'm thinking its not the starter or the
problem would be consistent.  
 If anyone has any other ideas please please please let me know.  
Duane Smith - 28 Sep 2005 04:46 GMT
I have a 97 4 cly engine 4Runner. It now has 207K on it. About 90K
ago, I stalled the engine (manual) and it wouldn't start. It turned
over, but it was like it was not getting fuel or spark. On the third
try (perhaps the magic number), it started. That happened 3 times.
Since then, it never happend again. I do my own work and have checked
everything and found nothing wrong.I blame the computer. Perhaps it
was in a reset stage.

As for your problem, since the cigarette lighter isn't working, I
would tear into the dash. It's fairly simple to disassemble, but take
your time. You don't want to break the plastic bezzle. Once you get
that off, I would check the wiring. It's quite possible that you have
a short. Maybe the cigarette lighter feed fell off and is touching
ground.

On a lighter note, once you have that repaired, keep the car. Just
change the oil and maintain it. It will last forever. At 207K miles, I
replaced rotors once (they didn't need it, but at 150K, I decided it
was time. And changed the drums at 203K. I finally am replacing the
exhaust manifold, which cracked at 50K, but only because the check
engine light is on all the time now. The only "major" repair it's
going to need is that the syncs in the manual tranny are going out and
it sometimes pops out of gear when I release the clutch. Other than
that, it's a great on and off road vechicle.

Good luck,

Lou

>I have a 1998 4Runner with a 4 cylinder engine.  I tried to start it
>this morning and it took 3 times for it to start.  The first two times
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
>TIA
1 of the Masses - 29 Sep 2005 05:48 GMT
That's neat to hear.  We like our Yoda and it's been a real trooper for us.    
Is yours the 4WD  (if they made it that way) or 2WD?  We stuck on a ARB
Airlocker and you wouldn't believe the places we've taken it.  Let's see,
yours is the 2.7 L, right?

> On a lighter note, once you have that repaired, keep the car. Just
> change the oil and maintain it. It will last forever. At 207K miles, I
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> it sometimes pops out of gear when I release the clutch. Other than
> that, it's a great on and off road vechicle.
Duane Smith - 29 Sep 2005 07:04 GMT
Yup, 4WD for me. I figure about 10% of all my driving is off road.
Mostly in northern Nevada.
I have a 2.7L in mine also.
You know, I really don't like the new 4Runners. Cost too much and you
can't get them in a stick. At the price of gas, I don't want an 8 cyl!
Mine is all stock except for the K&N air filter.

Where do you do most of your driving?

>That's neat to hear.  We like our Yoda and it's been a real trooper for us.    
>Is yours the 4WD  (if they made it that way) or 2WD?  We stuck on a ARB
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>> it sometimes pops out of gear when I release the clutch. Other than
>> that, it's a great on and off road vechicle.
Cregster - 29 Sep 2005 18:45 GMT
clicks,no crank=starter contacts.
no click,no crank dim clock, or wierd acc (stereo, clock, etc..) =
ignition switch.

>I have a 1998 4Runner with a 4 cylinder engine.  I tried to start it
>this morning and it took 3 times for it to start.  The first two times
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
>TIA
 
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