Starting issues - Not sure what component

[Dusty Rhodes Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty Rhodes]

Hello everyone

I have a manual 1997 2700 4cyl Prado. Recently the battery was replaced with a high crank capacity battery. The battery is the correct size per specifications for the car.

The first time this issue occurred, I turned the key and all I heard was a click, the same click you hear when you have a flat battery. I turned the key again and the starter motor instantly spun up at full speed. It was as if someone had instantly replaced a dead battery with a new one.

This occurred twice more on different days over a few weeks. Until yesterday when for three consecutive attempts, all I got was the click. Then fourth try it started.

Drove to the shops, but this time starting there was a click a short laboured attempt to spin over the engine and then stopped. Then once again the next attempted started the engine.

All this behaviour makes me think somehow the battery is defective. How it can show this nothing then full charge I don't know. The terminals are clean and secure and the battery which cost over $200 is only a few months old.

Any thought from your experience will be appreciated.

Cheers

[modvrs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close modvrs]

When mine had exactly the same symptoms it turned out to be worn contacts in the starter solenoid. I'm in the UK and sourced a replacement set from a local supplier by providing the part number for the starter which is printed in orange on the casing. Simple job to replace them although getting the starter out on my V6 was tricky. The old contacts were deeply pitted.

[Dusty Rhodes Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty Rhodes]

When mine had exactly the same symptoms it turned out to be worn contacts in the starter solenoid.

Thanks modvrs. Well today something scary happened. The first time I've tried to start the car since posting. First two tries and just clicks. Third try it did the nearly starts and then fails... EXCEPT this time the engine fired, but it sounded like it was running backwards and there was a abnormal noise coming from the engine bay.

So I turned it off and guess what? The starter was still running even though the key was off! I assume something was 'welded' together?

Anyway she's out front until I can get it fixed. No point screwing things further.

As an aside, one of these super dooper high crank capacity batteries can't have a detrimental effect can it? I know the starter should only draw what it needs but it seems suspect.

Thanks again.

[modvrs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close modvrs]

Certainly points to a starter problem, hopefully just the contacts and plunger. Can't see that a good battery would be the problem but I guess it could more reliably provide enough current to weld the contacts together than a duff one would. Good luck with the fix.