I have a 1989 townace super extra. Two days ago I parked my townie and when I tried to start it yesterday, all I got was a click. townie is a turbo diesel auto box so I cant put it in gear and rock it. When I looked under the floor pan I could'nt see where the starter was situated. With the pan up theclick was louder but because I have ahearing problem, I was unable to locate the source of the sound. So please, does anyone have some info for me as to what is my problem and what can I do about it. I've only had the car for a week so I've been unable to get to know it very well

- (#8821) Peter Sackley, 26 Feb 04 09:38

Peter, don't panic, familiar problem. Go to Ace Answers link at top of this page - go to Ace Archives (of all previous discussions here) - Engine mechanical folder - Starter subfolder - lots of discussion of this problem, diagnosing and curing it.

Sounds like your starter solenoid is not making contact to send current into the starter motor - may be insufficient voltage reaching the solenoid or eroded (or just corroded it the car's been laid up) switch contacts in the solenoid. Rarely completely disable the car - just keep trying every 15 seconds and within 10 clicks it'll probably run.

If you go to the Ace Answers link at top of this page - then the Ace Handbook - ENGINE - you'll see a link to "Starter, location picture" - and loads more besides.

- (#8821) Dave Mason (Sussex), 26 Feb 04 10:10

Peter. It is very unlikely that your starter is stuck, ie, the bendix gear engaged with the flywheel starter ring so, rocking the transmission won't help. What is likely is that there is a drop in the voltage to the starter solenoid switch, caused, possibly, by the solenoid contacts becoming dirty and pitted or, the battery terminals being corroded. The click which you can hear is, probably,the starter solenoid/switch contacts, coming together but, not allowing full voltage to flow. Both of these features will inhibit the correct voltage from reaching the starter solenoid/switch. A low battery will also give these symptoms and also, on the Townace, there seems to be an as yet unsolved mystery which gives a drop in voltage through the starter switch relay. Anyway, this problem is very well documented in Ace Answers and you will see there what you might have to do.
It is likely that you have to remove the starter, then remove the starter solenoid/switch and clean the contacting surfaces. You MUST disconnect the battery first to avoid shorting out the main battery lead which goes directly to the starter. The starter is located on the left (nearside) at the back of the engine and is quite easy to remove. As a first test, you can try connecting a wire directly from the postitive terminal of the battery, and touching the other end of the wire onto the solenoid/switch terminal. If the starter turns over, this will indicate that you have a voltage drop through the starter wiring/relay.
Be careful not to touch this wire anywhere else on the vehicle as the showers of sparks, and glowing wire, is a bit alarming. The engine manual, part No RMO25E, available from your local Toyota dealer, shows the starter, it's solenoid switch etc and gives guidance on it's dismantling and testing.

- (#8821) John Davis, 26 Feb 04 10:16