So recently my truck has been having trouble starting, mainly when it hasnt been on for a couple hours. Usually the first time I try to start it just goes click and nothing, wait a few seconds and try again it starts turning and sometimes will start and sometimes will sputter out. Third time has always been the charm. It will fire up perfectly on the third try every time. So tonight I'm leaving work and it's only been a few hours since I last drove it so I tried to start it up and it turned and then sputtered out so I put the key in the off posistion and sat back knowing I would have to wait a couple seconds before trying again. A second or two later the truck just started turning over on its own and fired up...with the key still in the off posistion and my hand nowhere near it. Now its running so I just clicked the key to on without a problem and it drove fine all the way home. Has anyone ever had this problem or even heard of this?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Cause its definitly new to me

I just had this problem a few months ago on my old 88' pickup, more likely than not it is your starter solenoid plunger that is sticking on combined with the contacts that are worn. In my case I would start it and the starter would stay engaged once the motor fired up and would grind horribly. The starter would still go even with the key completely out of the ignition. So my guess is that you need to replace your starter contacts and lube up the solenoid plunger or replace the starter all together about $18(rebuild kit) vs. $90 for a good replacement starter.

Matt

These articles might be helpful:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/ignition_switch/

Hey guys thanks for the help, I think we're going to attack the starter first and rebuild it because it's symptoms seem to be closest to what mine are. Were ca I get a starter rebuild kit? I called autozone and couple different places but no one has them. Am I going to have to go to the stealership for this kit or is there a special place I can go to get one or order one? Thanks guys <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I got my rebuild kit from Checker (or Kragen/Schucks wherever you are at in the US) for $21. includes everything except some light grease to grease the plunger which you will see when you take it apart, not hard at all, hardest part is getting the starter out.

Matt

No need to fully remove the starter if you're only working on the solonoid. Just disconnect the wires, remove it from the motor, spin it around and lay it with the solonoid on top of the steering rack. If you're patient, you can get in there and replace the contacts without having to remove the starter from the truck. Had to do this myself when the contacts got worn and the plunger was getting stuck (with the starter ON). New OEM contacts were under $20 from http://www.trdparts4u.com/ (I've purchased from these people about 4 times now, so far always great service).

Side note: I have been unable to find a new plunger. The old one is still working fine for me but I wanted to replace everything at once. Has anyone found the plunger for sale without having to buy the entire starter?

You bet the kit I had came with the new plunger, and right you dont have to have the starter out but I did, to clean it real good.

Matt

Well I went to Kragen and apperantly they dont offer a rebuild kit for the 3.4 starter...So I had to cough up the $150 for a new one, took about 20 mintutes to install and now the truck runs perfectly. Thanks for all your help guys <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Great news that it fixed the problem! Curious question, how did you get the starter out in 20 minutes? I couldn't find a way to wiggle mine out of there which is why I posted about fixing it while it's still in the truck. I've got the 4x4, if yours is 4x2 then maybe that's the difference?

Oops dumb me, I just realized you have the prerunner, so 4x4 is the difference. Great news it comes out so easily, I think on the 4x4 the exhaust has to come out to make room to remove the starter. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

It takes a little while to get the two bolts that hold it into position off because the exhaust manifold gets in the way quite a bit. Thats was the hardest part for me, just because theres very little room to work in that area. And it's also easier if you have someone who can reach through the fender well and hold the starter in place while you lay under the truck taking out those bolts <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />