So about a month ago my car started to get the dreaded starter click. I (unhappily) changed out the starter and she fired right up. She worked fine for about a month and then as of recently she has started acting up again. She eventually starts after like 5-10 clicks. Sometimes more. It sounds like a weak battery some times. Other times it just clicks and clicks and then all of a sudden it starts on the 1st turn. Could there be something else in the starting line (key switch, battery (tested good), starter (again?) relays(???) that I need to also replace or check? This problem is irritating me to the point that Im just about to sell the car and buy a new Evo.

Car Stats:

1992 Sc300 5 speed 180k

 

Did you replace it with a used starter or brand new? Even brand new ones can be faulty at times.

Did you make sure all contacts were clean of corrosion and build up?

 

I replaced it with a remanufactured starter.

 

^^ I'd start reading up on its warranty coverage.

 

get the original starter that stopped working, buy the contacts from toyota for about $10.
takes 5 minutes to install contacts, reinstall starter and you are good to go.

 

They unfortunately took my old starter as a core. I also lost the reciept so Ill have to see if they will still provide me my 1 year warranty work/replacement. So we are sure it is definately the starter?

 

usually the battery or starter.
here are a few things I have observed when dealing with my starter.

the 1 click and nothing when you turn the key is a good sign that the plunger is not touching the contacts by the time it is fully extended. usually because starter contacts are worn (the plunger doesn't really get worn).
the click sound you hear is actually the plunger being maxed out in the starter.
right before it gets to the 1 click and nothing stage (the worst stage), the plunger may just barely touch the contacts when fully extended, and since the connection isnt very good you may get a few turns out of it and then it fizzles out and stops before the engine can start. sometimes it will hold enough for a start, and other times it will do the 1 click and nothing. (as time goes on it will do the 1 click and nothing more often).
If you are getting a ton of mini clicks but no turning its usually a sign of the battery being too weak.

 

Let's say it may not be a starter problem like you said, what if it may be a battery problem, what would you suggest?

 

battery or your connection to your starter mine were corroded and i just shot some wd40 and use a rag and boom worked instantly. shouldn't take more than 5 minutes.

jack up car locate starter remove plastic cap shoot some wd40 and should be good.

err but then again you have a new starter might not have been corroded..

go to autozone and have them do a battery test.

 

if you suspect the battery the most obvious test would be to jump it off a running car that has a good battery and see if there is any difference.