40 series starting problem.

[4x4joel4x4]

hi all my 40 series wont start i turn the key and it just clicks... sounds like the battery is dead but when i hook it up on the battery charger and get it started and then take it for a decent drive to charge it better and then stop it and try and start it again it just clicks... could it be the alternator not working or is there may be somthing els?

the battery is 4 wkees old.

[SCANAS]

If it clicks once poor connection
if it clicks more than once, battery flat alternator not charging

[Stackson45]

Sounds more like your starter or starter solenoid has issues. If it doesn't turn over at all - not even slowly then check your starter motor. What happens if you bridge your starter contacts with a screwy?

[4x4joel4x4]

Sounds more like your starter or starter solenoid has issues. If it doesn't turn over at all - not even slowly then check your starter motor. What happens if you bridge your starter contacts with a screwy?

if i do that it seems to work better than starting it from the key?

[4x4joel4x4]

If it clicks once poor connection
if it clicks more than once, battery flat alternator not charging

it clicks only once?

[flyology]

Sounds like the alternator is not charging. Get is started, put a multimeter across the battery with it running, should have around 13.5V.

if it is 12 or less, time to service the alternator.....

Before going out and spending big bucks asking for a landcruiser alternator, check out some toyota car alternators around the same era. you may be able to get away with changing the guts and bearings and save a few $

Also, check your battery leads and connections, if they are dirty it may not be getting charged....

[crustybj60]

starter contacts

cheers
crusty

[flyology]

If it starts when the battery charger is connected I don't think it will be started contacts, has got something to do with charging system.....

[SCANAS]

If it only clicks once after having just been started i'd say contacts or connection....

Check alternator with multimeter

x2 on the look at different alternators try to get an upgrade over the standard 60a??

[shorty_f0rty]

starter contacts

cheers
crusty

been there had that.. if you know your battery is in good condition.. i reckon its your starter.. get it off and get it checked out.

[Ricko]

Pretty sure there is another do-hickery thingame to do with the stater on the firewall, a solonoid or something which can cause this problem also.

[flyology]

If it starts with the battery charger using a start/power setting, but wont start on the battery with out the charger, its not the starter motor its the battery is lacking power to power the starter. Either the battery or charging system........

[4x4joel4x4]

If it starts with the battery charger using a start/power setting, but wont start on the battery with out the charger, its not the starter motor its the battery is lacking power to power the starter. Either the battery or charging system........

thanks all for your replies.
it isnt the battery, its barnd spanking new, so if its not that then its power to the alternaotr?

[flyology]

Sounds like it is not charging. do you have a multi meter at all? check the voltage at the battery when off, and when running.....

do you have an internally regulated alternator, or external?

[clownman]

had the same problem , i first replaced the terminals, wasnt the problem, i bypassed the ignition switch and still no go, i replaced the cable that runs from the alternator to the positive on the battery with some 8 mm cable and it fixed the problem. the 40 series cars are getting really old and i found that the wiring on mine was starting to corrode , i would start slowly replacing all the wiring as there isnt really that much in a 40

[cruiser60series]

check earths too.

that makes me think, could you start a car that has no battery earth using a battery charger? That is earthed to the ground via the mains and the car is sitting on the earth....earthing the chassis and therefore earthing starter motor?

[4x4joel4x4]

had the same problem , i first replaced the terminals, wasnt the problem, i bypassed the ignition switch and still no go, i replaced the cable that runs from the alternator to the positive on the battery with some 8 mm cable and it fixed the problem. the 40 series cars are getting really old and i found that the wiring on mine was starting to corrode , i would start slowly replacing all the wiring as there isnt really that much in a 40

that sounds more like what my problem is? i will get some wire tomorrow and try this out thank you every one for your replys extremly helpfull,

cheers fellas.

[MrGrim]

ok i know im a bit old skool but with the problem u describe try a simple trick get some one to hold the key on the start pos
then tap the starter with a pole or hammer if it then comes to life its your solinoid its a standard problem with all starters regardless of make...
then the only thing to do is re builded the solinoid or replace it

[4x4joel4x4]

ok i know im a bit old skool but with the problem u describe try a simple trick get some one to hold the key on the start pos
then tap the starter with a pole or hammer if it then comes to life its your solinoid its a standard problem with all starters regardless of make...
then the only thing to do is re builded the solinoid or replace it

cheers mate i am going to have this arvo off work so ill try it then and try to also rewire the alternator.

ill update on how it goes.

[4x4joel4x4]

cleaned my starter out still nothing check all wires still nothing, replaced power cable to alternator ""bingo"" took it out for a drive turned it off and it powerd straight up again.

thanks to everyone for your help, i will end up re-wiring the whole system i think just to make it 100% fail proof,

cheers joel

[MrGrim]

joel
just a tip when doing a rewire let earth be your freind and make sure its good ..also earth cable to starter bolt and block makes a huge diff...

i use an earth cable from block starter altenater to batt ( 3 cables )

reason :-
voltage travels from pos to neg not to much of a problem
current travels from neg to pos this is why earth/neg is more critical than pos

end result voltage drop ( small) willl not effect much but a current drop will cause all sorts of dramas

[4x4joel4x4]

joel
just a tip when doing a rewire let earth be your freind and make sure its good ..also earth cable to starter bolt and block makes a huge diff...

i use an earth cable from block starter altenater to batt ( 3 cables )

reason :-
voltage travels from pos to neg not to much of a problem
current travels from neg to pos this is why earth/neg is more critical than pos

end result voltage drop ( small) willl not effect much but a current drop will cause all sorts of dramas

i have printed this comment out and will take it to action this weekend thanks again fellas.

earth is my friend earth is my friend earth is my friend i thinkill be alright

[MrGrim]

i have printed this comment out and will take it to action this weekend thanks again fellas.

earth is my friend earth is my friend earth is my friend i thinkill be alright

earth is your freind also potting mix works too