Prado intermittent NO START

[kam80]

I have a '96 Prado 3.0 LWB, occasionally when turning the key it just CLICKS and won't crank over and then sometimes its ok...

Today I had to abort it as tried it a few dozen times and it didn't start so I had to take the van to work.

New battery fitted, new starter, checked relay and all ok...

I'm sure its something silly but wondering has anyone else had this issue and any ideas?

Thanks

 

[MODVRS]

Most common cause in my experience is worn or dirty contacts in the starter solenoid but you say it's a new one; not unknown for new stuff to fail but unlikely. Only other things I can think of are a faulty ground connection somewhere (body to engine block maybe) or a fault in the ignition switch.

 

[Shayne]

Battery lead worn through making contact with metal before the starter is my guess because that had me stumped for ages on a boat where i couldn't see it until it actually burned through a steel oil pipe .

 

[Rootless]

You might find this odd, I had a similar experience in my '96 (no loud clicking). Sometimes it just wouldn't turn over. I found that if I just shift the 4 wheel drive stick into neutral (and or back into gear) that it starts right up after that. It just seems to vibrate loose and prevents the engine from thinking it is engaged or disengaged. Worth a shot. Good luck.

 

[AndycruiserguyLomas]

Firstly I'd establish it wasn't an earth problem by connecting a jump lead from the negative terminal to the block. Then I'd establish there was a current to the small wire which energises the solenoid when the key is turned to the start position.
This will be a start to the diagnosis.
When I had the same problem with my V6 Collie it was the connection from the main power feed which was corroded. Polished up it has been faultless since.

 

[Towpack]

If the click is loud enough to hear inside the vehicle I'd say it's probably coming from the solenoid. That's easy enough to check if you can get someone to turn the key with you under the bonnet. If that's operating then it must be a bad connection to the starter itself which comes direct from the battery. Try a jump lead from the + battery terminal to the main starter terminal.

 

[Shayne]

Here's a simple suggestion because the only starting problem i ever had with my 1kz-te 90 was ultimately after much ado caused by a battery lead terminal which had been on and off the battery several times in the previous weeks , scrubbed up shiny and looking great when having failed in my latest attempt to diagnose the fault I slipped it back on the on the battery and it split in two pieces .

Fingertip strength absolutely no reason for it

new lead terminal and never had a problem since .

Maybe disconnect them and give each and give them a smack with a spanner .