I have a 1998 Toyota Prado auto gas/petrol V6 with a 12 month old Century 4x4 battery fitted (not duel system).
I thought I had faulty battery as when in Tassie two weeks ago I had a flat battery 3 days in a row. It was ok all day after starting with a jumpstarter so I took to auto elec in Devonport. He tested it and said his meter is showing a faulty battery. To cut a long story short I got him to fit a new battery, all good for the next week.
I took the 12 month old battery back to my supplier under warranty and he tested it and said battery had 12.6V so ok. He has sent it back to Century to get full test done, still waiting on verdict. The battery was just sitting in back of tug not connected to anything during the week.
However, today I went to start the tug and "click" no go. After a couple of tries with "Click" no luck so I moved the transmission selector down and up again then tried to start, bingo. Ok the rest of the day. I have had to do the transmission thing a couple of times in the resent past. The new battery was showing OK.
Is it possible the starter motor might be on the blink ?? Alternator seems to be charging fine.
Yuglamron said
07:54 PM Feb 19, 2014
Not too sure on the Prado but the cause sounds like a gear selector sensor has been moved out of alignment. Designed to stop you starting in gear.
I am sure some of our forum members who are mechanics will have a better idea and will advise you better knowledge of the Prado.. Hope you sort it out.
ken thomas said
07:56 PM Feb 19, 2014
Get a later model prado
Ken
ken thomas said
08:00 PM Feb 19, 2014
hello doug
just had to get 3 batteries for the van and car as they were the wrong type, instead of deep cycle they were a hybrid cranking and deep cycle but would not hold a charge over night, so Lyn could not have a shower in the morning not happy
Dealer in Wallaroo is sending them back under warranty and got me 3 proper deep cycle ( very expensive)
Ken
Olley46 said
08:38 PM Feb 19, 2014
Hi Doug
I have a later model Prado 03 diesel I had the same problem with the starter clicking just like a flat battery,the auto elect told me it was the starter motor$350.00 later it was fixed,hope this helps and does not cause a heart attack.
lance C
solo nomad said
11:18 PM Feb 19, 2014
after working for toyota for 23 years i suggest you get the neutral start switch on the auto trans checked
it is a common problem on older toyota's
it is located on the bottom of the shift level (it also controls the reverse lights)
it is designed to stop the vehicle being started in gear (only allowing to start in park or neutral)
the neutral start switch wears after time and can go either way.....allowing you to start in gear or not start at all
your description of wiggling the shifter makes me think that may be the issue
cheers
hako said
11:26 PM Feb 19, 2014
G'Day Doug, as Yuglamron says, all automatics have a inhibiter switch in the gear selector mechanism to only allow starting in P or N....they sometimes fail or get out of adjustment. When you go to start normally there will be 2 clicks - one from the starter relay that powers the starter solenoid and a 2nd click from the starter solenoid as it energises and powers the starter motor.
So if the inibiter is not not working correctly, you may still hear a click from the starter relay although it will not be as loud as the starter solenoid.
Hope that's all it is and not as lance C suggests.
Dougwe said
04:55 PM Feb 20, 2014
Thanks all so far. I had the same thing happen again thismorning so decided to not do anything with the selector stick and just tried to turn the key by itself, after 2 attempts it started. Something sure is on the blink for sure.
Cruising Cruze said
06:09 PM Feb 20, 2014
G'day Doug
sorry to hear of your troubles
maybe silly but did you think about the ignition key contact itself ???
try your spare key (you never know )
Cheers John
solo nomad said
09:00 PM Feb 20, 2014
behind the ignition lock is an electrical switch
as the key turns it switches power on to the necessary bits and pieces
this is also known to fail on occasions
considering the vehicle age it might be worth checking
Cruising Cruze said
11:21 PM Feb 20, 2014
Thank you Baz that was the bit what I had in mind
But you did explained it better
Dougwe said
03:49 PM Feb 21, 2014
Thankyou again all,
I have now gone back to thinking it maybe the Gear selctor Switch/Neutral start switch/inhibiter switch, whatever it is called ?
It seems to happen every time I go to start the car now and as soon as I move the selector arm it starts.
Any ideas as to how hard it is to fix, is it a DIY job or Auto Ele or Auto Trans expert???
Is it expensive?? Just an Idea really as a guide so I don't get ripped off as I am starting to think I was had in Devonport about the battery being a dud. I was in need of getting going and had VIC plates, who knows??
My supplier of the original battery has had it tested and all is fine so he is going to speak to the auto elec in Devonp[ort to see if he has the readings on record, I will not be holding my breath as i didn't see any printout.
native pepper said
05:46 PM Feb 21, 2014
Dougwe wrote:
Thankyou again all,
I have now gone back to thinking it maybe the Gear selctor Switch/Neutral start switch/inhibiter switch, whatever it is called ?
It seems to happen every time I go to start the car now and as soon as I move the selector arm it starts.
Any ideas as to how hard it is to fix, is it a DIY job or Auto Ele or Auto Trans expert???
Is it expensive?? Just an Idea really as a guide so I don't get ripped off as I am starting to think I was had in Devonport about the battery being a dud. I was in need of getting going and had VIC plates, who knows??
My supplier of the original battery has had it tested and all is fine so he is going to speak to the auto elec in Devonp[ort to see if he has the readings on record, I will not be holding my breath as i didn't see any printout.
Had a similar problem in the last couple of weeks in our auto Sahara, flat battery and just a click when you try to start. For a while it seems by moving he gear lever back and forwards it would start, but in the end it wouldn't even with a new battery, just turn over slowly. So put a new starter on and haven't had any trouble since, starts instantly and very quietly now.
If it were just clicking and starts when you move the lever, then that could be the problem. But as the battery is going flat, sounds like an earth in the starter which is draining power overnight.
oldtrack123 said
01:19 AM Feb 23, 2014
Dougwe wrote:
Thankyou again all,
I have now gone back to thinking it maybe the Gear selctor Switch/Neutral start switch/inhibiter switch, whatever it is called ?
It seems to happen every time I go to start the car now and as soon as I move the selector arm it starts.
Any ideas as to how hard it is to fix, is it a DIY job or Auto Ele or Auto Trans expert???
Is it expensive?? Just an Idea really as a guide so I don't get ripped off as I am starting to think I was had in Devonport about the battery being a dud. I was in need of getting going and had VIC plates, who knows??
My supplier of the original battery has had it tested and all is fine so he is going to speak to the auto elec in Devonp[ort to see if he has the readings on record, I will not be holding my breath as i didn't see any printout.
Hi Doug
If juggling the gear stick consistantly gets it going, One would supect the attached Switch
But what made you think the batteries were the problem??
Did you check the voltage AT the battery before & while trying to START
That would be the FIRST thing to do in such a situation
IF the battery voltage does drop dramatically while cranking it would suggest that the starter is drawing EXCESS current [AMPS]
That could be due to the STARTER poleing due to worn bearings
OR another reason could be dirty brushes OR internal motor switch having burnt contacts[the motor may drawa high current but with little actual voltage available to give the POWER to crank
It could also be heavily gunked up.
Before you pull the gear box switch off I suggest you do some systematic tests
Stating with the above voltage tests
one easy way to determine if the gear box switch is the problem is ,when it will not start .to get someone to jiggle the gear box lever while you have your hand onr the starter motor case to see IF YOU can feel a click as the internal switch closes
If you cannot get your hand in safely you could use a length of wood or metal ,hold one end on the starter case & the other end to your ear [it acts as a sound transmitter] & again see if you can hear the starter relay click in.
IF the realy pulls in then the Gear switch is more than likely NOT the problem
The problem could be in the STARTER motor
ONe iother point make sure ALL the cable connections are clean to bright metal ,INCLUDING BOTH ends of THE HEAVY NEGTIVE CABLE TOTHE CHASSIS!!
That old Toyo, especilly if has had a rough life, could easily have bad connections.
PeterQ
In both case a new FULLY charged battery may just have enough power available to do the job.
I would expect the battery makers /seller would have donea HIGH current test to ensure the battery was OK
NOT JUST A VOLTAGE CHECK !!
03_troopy said
09:24 AM Feb 23, 2014
Jiggling the transmission lever may be adding a deception too. Is it definitely starting because the lever is jiggled, or is it coincidental that it starts after the stick is jiggled. My old (92) 4Runner started to develope a hard to start problem once where it made a clicking noise when the key was turned to Start, but the starter motor wouldn't turn over untill the 3rd or 4th try. This gradually got worse till it would hardly start at all. Did all the usual checks of the battery voltage, load test, clean ALL cable contacts (POS and GNDs) etc, but no good. Eventually pulled off the starter and checked the contacts in the solenoid. One of them was burnt down to a stage where when the solenoid pulled in it was only making contact on one of the contacts. I filed them both down to a similar thickness of clean copper as a temp fix to get me going, then priced a set of contacts from Toyota at $25 each. Went to local auto elec and after him climbing under the vehicle to determine the correct model starter (they changed starter models during the manufacturing run) he said $8. So i handed over $16 and he looked funny then handed me back $8 and said that's for a pair, not each. Replaced the contacts at home and all good for the next 100,000Km till i sold it.
Cruising Cruze said
08:36 PM Feb 26, 2014
G'day Doug
Is the problem fixed now ??
Dougwe said
07:18 AM Feb 28, 2014
Not fixed yet John, getting looked at tomorrow, Saturday 1/3.
Strange thing is, all last week it played up every time I went to start it. Since Sunday it hasn't played up once. I did threaten to take it to the car doctor. So I will see what happens tomorrow.
Cruising Cruze said
11:53 AM Feb 28, 2014
keep telling it
Dougwe said
06:26 PM Mar 1, 2014
Final update,
Basically two words, NOT FIXED.
Bugga, due to the car behaving for the last week we couldn't do anything about it. Service done though so that's good.
Just have to play a waiting game now.
Double bugga.
mongrel said
06:47 PM Mar 1, 2014
It may have got scared when we turned up Dougwe..Mongrel
03_troopy said
06:52 PM Mar 1, 2014
Might be worth checking the starter motor contacts rather than wait till it fails again. Not a big job once you have the starter out of the car.
Dougwe said
09:19 AM Mar 2, 2014
Thanks 03.
03_troopy said
07:49 PM Mar 3, 2014
Come on Dougwe... we're insuspenders here.... I'll put a carton on the starter contacts...
One will be eroded/burnt more than the other, the plunger (because it rotates) usually isn't too bad, but may need a cleanup.
Edit: Hmm which a lot of times means the repairer will say you need a new starter motor, so check them yourself... I'll see if I can find a pic
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Monday 3rd of March 2014 08:04:12 PM
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Monday 3rd of March 2014 08:06:11 PM
I have a 1998 Toyota Prado auto gas/petrol V6 with a 12 month old Century 4x4 battery fitted (not duel system).
I thought I had faulty battery as when in Tassie two weeks ago I had a flat battery 3 days in a row. It was ok all day after starting with a jumpstarter so I took to auto elec in Devonport. He tested it and said his meter is showing a faulty battery. To cut a long story short I got him to fit a new battery, all good for the next week.
I took the 12 month old battery back to my supplier under warranty and he tested it and said battery had 12.6V so ok. He has sent it back to Century to get full test done, still waiting on verdict. The battery was just sitting in back of tug not connected to anything during the week.
However, today I went to start the tug and "click" no go. After a couple of tries with "Click" no luck so I moved the transmission selector down and up again then tried to start, bingo. Ok the rest of the day. I have had to do the transmission thing a couple of times in the resent past. The new battery was showing OK.
Is it possible the starter motor might be on the blink ?? Alternator seems to be charging fine.
Not too sure on the Prado but the cause sounds like a gear selector sensor has been moved out of alignment. Designed to stop you starting in gear.
I am sure some of our forum members who are mechanics will have a better idea and will advise you better knowledge of the Prado.. Hope you sort it out.
Ken
hello doug
just had to get 3 batteries for the van and car as they were the wrong type, instead of deep cycle they were a hybrid cranking and deep cycle but would not hold a charge over night, so Lyn could not have a shower in the morning not happy
Dealer in Wallaroo is sending them back under warranty and got me 3 proper deep cycle ( very expensive)
Ken
Hi Doug
I have a later model Prado 03 diesel I had the same problem with the starter clicking just like a flat battery,the auto elect told me it was the starter motor$350.00 later it was fixed,hope this helps and does not cause a heart attack.
lance C
it is a common problem on older toyota's
it is located on the bottom of the shift level (it also controls the reverse lights)
it is designed to stop the vehicle being started in gear (only allowing to start in park or neutral)
the neutral start switch wears after time and can go either way.....allowing you to start in gear or not start at all
your description of wiggling the shifter makes me think that may be the issue
cheers
So if the inibiter is not not working correctly, you may still hear a click from the starter relay although it will not be as loud as the starter solenoid.
Hope that's all it is and not as lance C suggests.
sorry to hear of your troubles
maybe silly but did you think about the ignition key contact itself ???
try your spare key (you never know )
Cheers John
as the key turns it switches power on to the necessary bits and pieces
this is also known to fail on occasions
considering the vehicle age it might be worth checking
But you did explained it better
I have now gone back to thinking it maybe the Gear selctor Switch/Neutral start switch/inhibiter switch, whatever it is called ?
It seems to happen every time I go to start the car now and as soon as I move the selector arm it starts.
Any ideas as to how hard it is to fix, is it a DIY job or Auto Ele or Auto Trans expert???
Is it expensive?? Just an Idea really as a guide so I don't get ripped off as I am starting to think I was had in Devonport about the battery being a dud. I was in need of getting going and had VIC plates, who knows??
My supplier of the original battery has had it tested and all is fine so he is going to speak to the auto elec in Devonp[ort to see if he has the readings on record, I will not be holding my breath as i didn't see any printout.
Had a similar problem in the last couple of weeks in our auto Sahara, flat battery and just a click when you try to start. For a while it seems by moving he gear lever back and forwards it would start, but in the end it wouldn't even with a new battery, just turn over slowly. So put a new starter on and haven't had any trouble since, starts instantly and very quietly now.
If it were just clicking and starts when you move the lever, then that could be the problem. But as the battery is going flat, sounds like an earth in the starter which is draining power overnight.
Hi Doug
If juggling the gear stick consistantly gets it going, One would supect the attached Switch
But what made you think the batteries were the problem??
Did you check the voltage AT the battery before & while trying to START
That would be the FIRST thing to do in such a situation
IF the battery voltage does drop dramatically while cranking it would suggest that the starter is drawing EXCESS current [AMPS]
That could be due to the STARTER poleing due to worn bearings
OR another reason could be dirty brushes OR internal motor switch having burnt contacts[the motor may drawa high current but with little actual voltage available to give the POWER to crank
It could also be heavily gunked up.
Before you pull the gear box switch off I suggest you do some systematic tests
Stating with the above voltage tests
one easy way to determine if the gear box switch is the problem is ,when it will not start .to get someone to jiggle the gear box lever while you have your hand onr the starter motor case to see IF YOU can feel a click as the internal switch closes
If you cannot get your hand in safely you could use a length of wood or metal ,hold one end on the starter case & the other end to your ear [it acts as a sound transmitter] & again see if you can hear the starter relay click in.
IF the realy pulls in then the Gear switch is more than likely NOT the problem
The problem could be in the STARTER motor
ONe iother point make sure ALL the cable connections are clean to bright metal ,INCLUDING BOTH ends of THE HEAVY NEGTIVE CABLE TOTHE CHASSIS!!
That old Toyo, especilly if has had a rough life, could easily have bad connections.
PeterQ
In both case a new FULLY charged battery may just have enough power available to do the job.
I would expect the battery makers /seller would have donea HIGH current test to ensure the battery was OK
NOT JUST A VOLTAGE CHECK !!
Is the problem fixed now ??
Strange thing is, all last week it played up every time I went to start it. Since Sunday it hasn't played up once. I did threaten to take it to the car doctor. So I will see what happens tomorrow.
keep telling it
Basically two words, NOT FIXED.
Bugga, due to the car behaving for the last week we couldn't do anything about it. Service done though so that's good.
Just have to play a waiting game now.
Double bugga.
Come on Dougwe... we're insuspenders here.... I'll put a carton on the starter contacts...
One will be eroded/burnt more than the other, the plunger (because it rotates) usually isn't too bad, but may need a cleanup.
Edit: Hmm which a lot of times means the repairer will say you need a new starter motor, so check them yourself... I'll see if I can find a pic
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Monday 3rd of March 2014 08:04:12 PM
-- Edited by 03_troopy on Monday 3rd of March 2014 08:06:11 PM
Can you please tell where and how to access the neutral safety switch please?
I have a Prodo 120
Thank you
Good news I have found it, tucked up on the drivers side of the gear box
-- Edited by Rabs on Monday 23rd of December 2024 06:32:42 PM
Hi Doug
A external starter relay will fix any and all voltage drop problems
And the clicking of the starter
A good Auto Sparkie will be able to fit and wire a relay.