Pickup Problems, Any help is Great

[tnsglk]

Hello, I have a problem with my truck and I am at my wits end with it. Ill list what I have and what Ive done, any help would be great.
91' Toyota Pickup Hilux
6 Cyl, 2 wheel dr, Auto

The problem is after I drive some where, and turn the truck off, when I come back, it doesnt start, I turn t he key, and hear a click from the starter and a high pitch whinning sound. Some times on rare occasions if I keep turning the key over and over it will start. Its a real pain because I cant go anywhere and not expect to be there anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. It will start if I get a jump. Which makes me think it could be a issue of the starter not getting enough power. Now here is a list of what I have changed and done to try to fix the problem.
Changed the starter (multiple times)
New battery
New spark plugs and wires
New distributor cap
Ground wires

Please please please if you have any suggestions let me know. I dont have thousands to pour into it but I need to get this fixed. Its been going on for over 4 years now. So any help, please, let me know it would be greatly appreciated.

[humanoid]

Have you checked the starter contacts yet? Could also be grounding problem? Not sure about the latter, but hope it helps you some.

[tnsglk]

Would the contacts be a part of the new starter? May be a stupid question but I dont know. Cause if so, how do I change them? And yes, I do belivce the ground is good. But is there anyway to double check?

[MenaceSQL]

When my truck had that problem, it turned out to be my starter contacts. They were almost completly gone when I opened up the starter. Here is a page on the starter contact replacement procedure.

I did notice that you said that you have replaced your starter several times so I don't know if the starter contacts may be the problem. Were the new starters OEM or aftermarket? From what I have been told, never go with aftermarket starters nor alternators because they usually do not last as long as OEM units.

[texas12]

Yes, the contacts are part of the starter. So as mentioned in 1st post, he has changed them multiple times.
Is the whine you are hearing coming from the starter? If so, the starter is working but not engaging with the flywheel.
If it is not coming from the starter, try to pinpoint the noise and repost.

[mooseketer]

My '93 w/417k miles does this every once in a while. Mostly when the weather changes and it's damp or humid. The wiring connections corrode up. Toyota's have a tendency to have the electrical connections corrode up. My Landcruiser does it too.

You need to clean the starter connections. Check all the battery connections, too and the ground to the car.

I have found that the corrosion works it’s was up the wires, under the casings. You may need to replace the wires (or at least cut off the ends back behind the corrosion and reattach the connectors.)

[tnsglk]

Thanks for replys guys. The winning is coming from the starter. The starter in there now is OEM from Toyota dealership, it, like the others, only lasted 1 week before it started doing this.

[mooseketer]

If the starter is bad, it should be covered under warranty. Suggest you find a local rewind shop and have them rebuild the starter for you.

[tnsglk]

But all 4 to 6 starters I have put in there have dont this same thing, they work perfect for a week, then they start doing this. The one I hvae in there now lasted 1 week, it was Brand New from Toyota.

like I said, Im really beginning to hate this truck.

[mooseketer]

I know the feeling. I'm fighting a water leakage on mine and can't find where it is going.

Could you have a bad spot on the flywheel? If you do, the starter may not be able to engage properly. Otherwise, go back to the wires and check for corrosion.

[alltrac165]

Have you checked your alternator output? Maybe it's not charging the battery enough. Will all of the starters work ok with a jump? With no jumper cables, put a volt meter on the + terminal of the starter and ground and have someone try to start it. See what the voltage reading is. If it drops way down, try it again reading at the battery. If that drops way down, check the charging system. If the battery holds pretty stable, check the wiring.

[davedorr]

Try replacing the ignition switch (just the switch, not the lock cylinder, etc.) I had the same problem on my 91 F-150, and I spent hundreds replacing the starter, alternator, battery, misc. wiring, etc., and it all came down to a $15 ignition switch. I feel your pain. In the meantime, you should be able to start your truck by jumping the starter solenoid.

[91toyindiana]

maybe it needs a shim in it..

[Greasygreg]

jumper boxes are pretty cheap these days,id advise carrying one for a backup,but still try to fix your problem.most factory battery connections rely one one pinner wire from the battery ground to the inner fender.i reccomend first making sure the contact points are clean (sandpaper)and adding another wire from this to engine block.hope this helps...

[packfan]

Have you replaced the lead wire from the battery to the starter? sounds like everything else has been cover by you or other's suggestions here...