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I have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. I had an issue about a year ago where it started to “click” when I would start it. First I was told it was the battery so I bought a new battery. A couple days later it started doing it again and I was told it was the starter so I bought a new starter. Now almost a year later, my friend tells me yesterday it started doing the “click” before turning over thing again. It happened 3 times yesterday and today while she was telling me about it, it took 5 times before it turned over. I could hear the “click” each time she tried to start it. Surely the starter can’t be bad I just replaced it a freaking year ago. Also, it seems to be getting worse at an alarming rate considering it just started yesterday and went from 1-2 “clicks” before turning over to the 5 I heard this morning. Any ideas on what it might be? I do understand it could be a faulty Starter but I also know it could be a dozen other things. Spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, wires, pipes… whatever. I am hoping that with the alarming rate it appears to be dying at or at least having issues whatever the problem is it will give someone a tip to point me in the right direction. I have had starters die before but Never one this fast so I am hoping it is something else as I will be seriously PO’ed as I had it less then a year and it is dying….. I already drove over the 24,000/2 year warranty so I can’t even use that. Anyway, if you can help please do so, Thanks
The price you pay for parts is also a factor of how long they last, buying cheaper rebuilt parts will not last as long as a new OE part from the dealer. If you click click click then it starts is not a weak battery. I would inspect the wiring from the battery to the starter and from the battery to grounds to include cleaning these terminals and connections. A weak connection will give these same symptoms. As you try to make the starter work, a weak connection will heat up creating a better connection and allow more amps to flow to the starter. Otherwise you will need to replace the starter again if all electrical items test good, this includes wires from your ignition switch to the fuse panel and starter relay to the starter solenoid and all mentioned wires and connections. Loose wires and corrosion will act this same way.
