Is my starter dead

[hlfme]

My 92 4runner started funny, drove five minutes, parked and upon return moments later, won't start. There is an enthusiastic whirring sound that is mostly coming from the direction of the glovebox when I turn it over. Once when my starter stuck on my VW I smacked it with a hammer and it worked. I probably would have given that a try if I could have found the thing, and when I get under the car I have men rushing over to help, which is very kind, but they don't seem to know much more than I do anyway. Was hoping someone here can steer me in the right direction?

[Edgeman]

Your starter is on the right side of the engine, below the intake manifold, so that may be your sound. First have your battery checked at an auto parts store (Auto Zone/ Advance Auto/ etc.) You need to have it checked professionally, not just measuring the voltage with a multi-meter. That doesn't tell you the battery condition (i.e. how many amps you are pulling). Next you want to check the connections for any corrosion, even pull the starter to check it's condition. (I probably wouldn't recommend nailing it with a hammer.) If you pull it, you might as well change the fuel filter. You can only reach that sucker by either pulling the starter or the intake manifold.

If you have checked all of the wiring for connectivity, your malfunction would then probably be a possible bad solonoid, starter, or maybe even broken teeth on the fly wheel (in that order).

Good luck!

[Tercel GTS]

if it's a manual trans, put in 4th gear, and force roll a foot or so, then try, if it starts fine then, you may have a bad spot on flywheel, if it still whirs, the drive inside the starter is bad, get a new starter if so.

[screenname]

First, it might be helpful for you to understand how a starter works.

A starter is a big motor that has a small gear at the end of its drive shaft. When you turn the key to start the engine the small gear on the end of the shaft is thrust backwards so that in will mesh with the teeth that surround the edge of the flywheel. Once the engine starts and you release the key, the small gear is removed from the flywheel. (If the gear remained meshed with the flywheel it would be destroyed by the high speed of the engine.) The starter motor requires a lot of electric power to start (or amperage) In order to deliver high amperage to the starter you need very thick wiring. (Like the thickness of the cables on your battery) But because it is impractical to put extremely thick wires up in to the steering column to connect to your key switch, the car manufacturers use an adapter called a starter solenoid (also known as a relay or contacter) This lets them use very thin wire to turn on a switch that will connect the very thick wires used by the starter motor. Some manufacturers put the starter solenoid inside the starter itself (GM) some have it seperate on the fender next to the engine (Ford). I don't know what Toyota does yet as mine is new this year and have not had a need to investigate it.

The problem you are having sound like a solenoid within the starter the pushes the small gear into the flywheel. If the gear does not engage the flywheel you will hear a smooth motor hum but the engine does not turn. Your best bet is probably to replace the starter motor assembley.

[Egodd5150]

Hey, I don't know if it's the same problem but my '96 Tacoma was having starter issues and it turned out to be a $7 fix - all you have to do is pull the starter out, take the solenoid apart and replace the worn contacts (about $7) - it's cheaper than the couple hundred a new starter will cost and it only takes a couple of hours (less if you're quick) - more info can be found here: http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/ - my truck starts like a dream every time now!

[MenaceSQL]

Ditto what Egodd5150 said. Replace the starter contacts first and see if this problem goes away. More likely this is the problem as the starter contacts will wear out through time and you will get intermittent starting problems... it starts one minute then the next, it won't. The replacement contacts are only a couple bucks and you will need two. If you have the V6, you can access the starter from the right front wheel well opening after taking off the rubber wheel well cover flaps and the metal tin plate.