Help: Toyota 4Runner Starting Problem

[patrick0685]

I know there are a few mechanics in here that can hopefully help me out. I have a 2000 Toyota 4Runner that has been running fine, no check engine light, no lights at all on. Drove my car around today just fine, went to a few places and what not, came home turned the car off for about 45 min then when back to do one last thing...went to start the car and it clicked a few times all the dash lights got real dim and the engine never turned over. Now the check engine light is on and I am working on getting that checked. I tried a few more times still nothing, if i just turn the key to the run position than it acts normal minus the check engine light but if i try to start it nothing and the dash goes dim. Any help would be appreciated.

[patrick0685]

Also I dont know if this is related but randomly after I put the car in Reverse then shift to drive it doesnt seem to be in the correct gear and moves super slow then in like 5 sec it seems like the gear catches or something and runs normal.

[Graves]

Sounds like the battery might have checked out, check the terminals and make sure they're clean and tight.

[beast556]

+1 first thing I would check is the battery,sounds like it finaly went out.



Check your battery terminals, make sure they're clean and tight. Sounds like the battery might have checked out.

[SA Friday]

Sounds like the battery might have checked out, check the terminals and make sure they're clean and tight.

Yep, could be the alternator shit the bed, and now your battery isn't bring charged.

[patrick0685]

thanks for all the help guys...the terminal were pretty dirty so i cleaned them real good and then got a jump and that was it...started right up, now i need to see if its the battery or if it the alternator...very likely the battery as its close to 4 years old

[TFOGGER]

Check the ground cable where it bolts to the engine, and where it bolts to the body (usually a smaller wire, bolted to the fender near the battery). It's entirely possible you just had loose or dirty connections that weren't allowing it to charge properly.

[streetglideok]

If the key is on and the engine is off, the engine light will usually be on, thats a good thing. Sounds like your battery bit the big one. Was the corrosion a bluish green color? Usually indicates acid leakage. Get a new battery in asap, and have the alternator checked. If you run around on that bad battery too long, you'll need an alternator for sure.

[patrick0685]

well im gunna get a new battery asap...till then my car will be sitting in the driveway waiting until i get back to put a new one in

[Mtn.man]

So think it's
the Battery,,,, LOL

[dodgefreak8]

start the car and check the voltage at the battery. If you got around 14 volts the battery is probably toast. If you have less than 12 it's the alternator. You can also take them both to most part stores and they will load test them for you

[soco11]

FYI: The absolute best 4Runner forum on the web is found at:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/index.php?s=

If you don't find your answer here, I guarantee you that you will find it there.

[Fentonite]

Sent you a pm. If you haven't bought a battery yet, I have one you can have that should fit.