Owner and Service Manual Review

Two different starting systems are used on Toyota vehicles. Both systems have two separate electrical circuit: a control circuit and a motor circuit. One has a conventional starting motor. This system is used on most older-model Toyotas. The other has a gear reduction starting motor. This system is used on most current Toyotas. A heavy duty magnetic switch, or solenoid, turns the motor on and off. It is part of the motor circuit and the control circuit.

Both system are controlled by the ignition switch and protected by a fusible link. On some models, a starter relays is used in the starter control circuit. On models with automatic transmission, a neutral start switch prevents starting with transmission in gear. On models with manual transmission, a clutch switch prevents starting unless the clutch is fully depressed. On 4WD Truck and 4-Runner models, a safety cancel switch allows starting on hills without the clutch depressed. It does so by establishing an alternate path to ground.

Read the rest of this entry »