Starting Problem with 91 Toyota pick up

[Bmcox86]

So I've had issues with my truck starting the last few months, I would take a few times turning the key before it would try to turn over, then once started it would crank over first time the rest of the day. All the electronics turn on so I don't think it's a battery(new march of this year). Could it be the starter? Ignition? Any ideas, I'm not very mechanical but I wasn't thinking the starter since it cranks over easy when it tries and easy once it's been warmed up.

[Timberstalker]

Sounds like a starter solenoid to me. Cheap and easy fix.

[Bmcox86]

Can I pull that out and tell by looking at it? Someone else suggested that but I thought if it was bad it just would t start at all. I'll see if oreilys have them tomorrow

Thanks

[Timberstalker]

They can test it at the auto parts store. The part will be less than $30 and if you have any mechanical aptitude it will take you 30 mins to replace, or less.

[HntnFsh]

It could be the solenoid. Or even the starter itself dragging. You wont be able to tell by looking at it. If you can get to it. Have somebody hold the key over then tap the starter with a hammer or peice of wood or something. If using a hammer dont beat the heck out of it. But a hard tap.Its possible the starter will kick in. If so. Its a bad starter. The bushings in them can go bad.

[jackelope]

Starter solenoid is usually part of a starter these days. 99% of the time the starter is the issue, you'll get a single click when it doesn't start. The problem with testing the starter is if they test it and its one of those times it works correctly, its going to test good. I wonder if you're getting that single click? Its automatic if I recall correctly? Try starting it with the shifter in neutral next time it acts up and see what happens. I wonder if you've got a bad neutral safety switch or transmission range sensor or whatever Toyota calls it. I think because everything lights up, you likely don't have an ignition switch issue.

[Bmcox86]

I went ahead and bought a whole new starter, I tried to get to it to tap on it but it's just to difficult to get anything in there, looks like I have to take the tire off to have better access to it. Tried starting it in neutral and nothing. It just clicks now, wouldn't turn over at all today.  Hopefully it isn't to hard to swap the starter out as long as I can get to it.

[Bmcox86]

Well it took 6 hours and a couple trips to the store to get tools I didn't have but the starter is replaced and she starts. The worst place for a starter to be put but it's done!