Starter problem or battery? Toyota 4 Runner?

S

Sarah

New member
I have a 1998 Toyota 4 Runner.. About a week or so ago, I forgot I turned the back light on (in the rear/trunk area) and it was on for the whole night & maybe half the next day.

Now, when I start the car, when I turn the key it takes several seconds to start, sometimes the first time I turn the key doesn't start the car.. Getting kinda worried and I think it's just a matter of time before it doesn't start at all.

Could this be the battery power being low? Or could it be a starter going out? Any suggestions? I don't remember having this issue until the light was on, but it could be another issue.

Let me just say I had my car serviced 2 days ago, they said everything was fine. But, I forgot to tell them about the starter, and it was really bad yesterday where it wouldn't start the first time I turned the key?

Worried about going to a shop and getting something I don't need.
 
if the starter cranks the engine over quickly, then the problem is not likely the battery. If there is a delay between the time you hit the key and it starts cranking, then the starter relay may have a contact or ground issue, or the key switch may be getting flaky. You can test this by jumping power from the pos terminal of the battery to the small terminal on the starter, it should crank over right away.. if it still delays, then the starter solenoid contacts may be burnt or the solenoid is sticking, trying to get the starter gear engaged into the flywheel.
Otherwise, I agree to charge your battery for a good 24 hours on a 1 amp charger then load test it, and check your alternator for proper voltage and amperage output, but don't disconnect your battery when it's running, your battery, even if it's not supplying power to the vehicle, still acts as a big capacitor in the system, and disconnecting it could cause a spike and blow some expensive electronic modules.
 
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