Bad ignition ?

Hello everyone , so I’m having a little problem with my 04 Tacoma , last couple of days I’ve noticed a small delay when cranking the engine , I turn the key over to crank and there’s a delay of about 2 seconds before the engine cranks, so today on my way to work I turned the key over and nothing ,everything lights up on my dash as normal , after no crank i turned the key back to off turned it back to crank and after about 4 turns it started , battery is semi new with good voltage and starter clicks as should , what can it be? Key Cylinder ? Switch ?

 

yep, I would check the ignition switch. Unless your lock cylinder mechanism is gunk up and prevent the turn rod from engaging the ignition switch.

Starter relay?

 

Ignition relay, maybe

 

Are you saying the starter is cranking the engine but the coils aren't firing, or are you saying you held the key for 4 seconds and then the starter finally cranked the engine?

 

I'd bet it's the starter solenoid contacts. It's the first thing I'd check after the battery. How many miles on the starter?

 

shifter switch?

 

The starter was replaced in November of last year battery is good too

 

I turned the key off and on four times then the forth time it cranked

 

It does it randomly so I’m teiing to figure it out and to fix it before I end up stranded somewhere

 

Then check for loose connections, bad ground and corrosion on the terminals.

If it happens and you can hold your hand on the starter as someone turns the key and feel the solenoid pull the plunger in but the starter doesn't crank, then it's either a bad starter or low voltage/current to the starter motor. In other words, the starter relay and ignition switch can be ruled out if the solenoid is pulling the plunger in.

And if the big cable was tightened too much when installing the new starter it can turn the contact inside the starter causing them to be uneven and you get the same symptoms of worn out contacts.

 

Will check on all , many thanks I’ll keep everyone updated as I figure this out ,like I said it does it randomly

 

Here's some ideas to check also. Some of them are already mentioned above.



If you could measure voltage at the starter, that would help too. Here's a pretty good video:

 

check the battery terminals, clean or replace it.

 

Little update
After my last post I checked starter and it seems to be in working order , today I got stranded for 30 minutes since it did it to me again , after turning the key hard back and forth it started, I’m guessing it’s the switch and or cylinder , I’ll be removing and cleaning the cylinder and keep you guys updated

 

How did you test the starter?

The electronic part of the ignition is behind the lock cylinder. You could rule out the ignition switch by figuring out the pinout on the ignition switch connector under the dash, then when it's not starting disconnect the connector and directly jump the pins that would normally be connected when the key is turned to start. If it still doesn't crank then you know it's not the ignition switch.

 

I took it off and had it tested at an orrileys it passed according to them, I’m not really mechanically inclined how do I jump the pins?, I’ve got a multimeter at hand of that helps

 

Do you really mean that starter clicks every time you turn the key when there is no cranking? If so I would bet my 2 cents on starter switch. Starter new or not, that is the symptom of the starter switch not engaging or there is a bad connection between battery and the starter motor itself.
What "starter clicks" means is the solenoid is moving the gear engaging the flywheel, and pushing contacts at the same time. "No cranking" means the starter motor does not see voltage applied. Check starter contacts or big fat cable between the battery and the starter.

 

if it is a manual trans push the clutch a couple of times when cranking if and automatic try it in neutral.

I have attached diagrhms for an 2003 for both the 4 an 6 cyl.

 

If you have a wiring diagram or someone posts one, you find the color of the wires leading to the ignition switch and back to the starter relay, then use a bent paper clip or similar to make contact with those 2 pins on the connector, essentially acting like the ignition switch was turned to start, like hot wiring it.

You can use the multimeter on continuity test to check the ignition switch. Again, you'd need the repair manual or wiring diagram to figure where the continuity should be at the start position.

Having said that I'm doubtful it's the ignition switch causing the problem. Something about these starters when they are mounted will sometimes not work, but they will test fine off the car. That's why I said earlier to physically touch the starter as someone turns the key to feel if the plunger inside the starter is moving. If it is then you know power is reaching the solenoid inside the starter.