Starter failure?

elnido · 12-29-2008, 07:52 AM

I think my starter may be going. It seems to miss every few key turns, then it fires up no problem. Is this a brush change or do I need a new/rebuilt starter? Is is hard to access?
Thanks

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jsn_stockard · 12-29-2008, 08:05 AM

I would check all of my connections first. Hate to spend $$$ and find a loose wire

elnido · 12-29-2008, 10:02 AM

where is the starter?

BamZipPow · 12-29-2008, 01:20 PM

Find the positive wire fer yer battery. Trace that down to the starter.

Flannelman · 12-30-2008, 09:17 PM

Starter is on the Pass side about 1/3 of the way up the engine. Look for the trans engine joint and its on that line. On these starters 9/10 times the contacts need replaced. Its about 1.5 hr job or so to be done right. The contact are around $10 vs a couple hundred for a new starter. If you have basic hand tools you can do the job.

BrownsfaninMN · 01-02-2009, 04:32 AM

Like others on this site my '94 has been developing the dreaded "click" when turning the key. I downloaded that terrific posting by 4 Crawler/Offroad and even purchased a set of contacts from them. Went out yesterday and was looking at where the starter was and became a bit concerned, it appears to be a bit burried, how easy is it to remove a starter (on a V-6)??? Access behind the front right wheel well rubber flap? (can't really see anything from under the truck). Outside air temp in MN is in the teens, can I postpone this change until spring? How long will this "clicking" keep going before I'm stranded somewhere??? Thanks.

ahickman · 01-02-2009, 05:29 AM

Brownsfan, no way to tell how long it will be until the contacts fail completely. Better to brave the cold for an hour or so where you can escape to your kitchen as needed and have all your tool rather than having to wait for a tow and then repair? Otherwise, carry a hammer with you to tap on the starter when they won't make contact by themselves.

I just did a couple of repairs on the starter in my 94 V6 which included new contacts. Getting it out is a bear the first time. Recommend taking off the right front tire and the rubber shield for easier access. Here are the steps from memory:

1. block wheels, jackstand under front right, remove tire and rubber flap.
2. Unbolt (14mm) battery cable from starter
3. Unbolt starter from transmission case (2 bolts, required an extension and flex socket)
4. Reaching behind the starter with one hand, unclip the solendoid power cable.
5. Pull the starter out by the rear-end while rotating slightly. This is the frustrating part, finding the right orientation for comfortable removal. If you have to force it, you don't have it oriented correctly.

Hope this helps.

elnido · 01-02-2009, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the useful info! I may tackle this after all. Is changing the contacts tough? Any other tips for removing the starter or changing contacts?

ahickman · 01-03-2009, 05:27 AM

Here is a walk-through on removal. Once you get the starter out, you simply remove two screws in order to remove the cover plate. Remove the two bolts/nuts holding the contacts on and you are golden. Very, very easy. Just keep the fingers warm!

http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech/...imrockford.htm

**waskillywabbit** · 01-03-2009, 06:01 AM

I would not suggest fixing a starter as your first repair job. Easy to actually fix. PITA to R/R.

BrownsfaninMN · 01-04-2009, 04:02 AM

How long have people have had the "click" while starting (requiring numberous attempts before the starter in fact makes contact)? Has it stranded anybody? Again I'd like to wait until Spring to work on it, wondering if it'll last for another 3 months if I can.

BrownsfaninMN · 01-04-2009, 04:03 AM

...it just recently started like 2 weeks ago.

**waskillywabbit** · 01-04-2009, 06:14 AM

I had mine like that for over a year, but I also knew it was the contacts so if it wouldn't start I just tapped the starter with a hammer or crescent wrench and it would start right up.

91diesel · 01-04-2009, 08:07 AM

I also unbolted the left motor mount and jacked up that side of the motor a little, I also had headers on, but it made it a little easier.

BlackToySteve · 01-07-2009, 09:43 PM

My truck started doing the OPs issue after off-roading once. Did a lot of watery mud. It would start if I banged on it enought times with a tire iron. Turned out the nut was loose on the starter. Cleaned it off, cinched it up, and haven't had a day of trouble since.

seaofnames · 01-07-2009, 10:15 PM

My runner would spin and the plunger would not engage the flywheel when it was really cold and wet out. I noticed when I was putting in my new clutch earlier this year it was a bosch starter. I replaced the contacts, and it was still not engaging all the time. Turns out it was just the ty bosch starter. I got a remanned denso(1.8kW) and it is quieter, and starts quicker, every time.

Check wiring, then the contacts and make sure its a denso starter before anything else.

To put the new starter in took about 10 minutes, but of course this is with the truck on a hoist and a master tech from Toyota helping me

12-29-2008, 08:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
jsn_stockard Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gainesville Texas Posts: 558	I would check all of my connections first. Hate to spend $$$ and find a loose wire __________________ www.stockardmaintenancesolution.com Leave the trail a cleaner place than it was before you got there

12-29-2008, 10:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
elnido Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 168	where is the starter? __________________ '95.5 T100 sr5 3.4L 4X4

12-30-2008, 09:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Flannelman Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 67	Starter is on the Pass side about 1/3 of the way up the engine. Look for the trans engine joint and its on that line. On these starters 9/10 times the contacts need replaced. Its about 1.5 hr job or so to be done right. The contact are around $10 vs a couple hundred for a new starter. If you have basic hand tools you can do the job. __________________ 97 T-100 SR5 4x4 5spd Ext Cab 100k and counting Forest Green metallic Aisin Hubs

01-02-2009, 04:32 AM	#6 (permalink)
BrownsfaninMN Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 33	Starter Removal... Like others on this site my '94 has been developing the dreaded "click" when turning the key. I downloaded that terrific posting by 4 Crawler/Offroad and even purchased a set of contacts from them. Went out yesterday and was looking at where the starter was and became a bit concerned, it appears to be a bit burried, how easy is it to remove a starter (on a V-6)??? Access behind the front right wheel well rubber flap? (can't really see anything from under the truck). Outside air temp in MN is in the teens, can I postpone this change until spring? How long will this "clicking" keep going before I'm stranded somewhere??? Thanks.

01-02-2009, 05:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
ahickman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 363	Brownsfan, no way to tell how long it will be until the contacts fail completely. Better to brave the cold for an hour or so where you can escape to your kitchen as needed and have all your tool rather than having to wait for a tow and then repair? Otherwise, carry a hammer with you to tap on the starter when they won't make contact by themselves. I just did a couple of repairs on the starter in my 94 V6 which included new contacts. Getting it out is a bear the first time. Recommend taking off the right front tire and the rubber shield for easier access. Here are the steps from memory: 1. block wheels, jackstand under front right, remove tire and rubber flap. 2. Unbolt (14mm) battery cable from starter 3. Unbolt starter from transmission case (2 bolts, required an extension and flex socket) 4. Reaching behind the starter with one hand, unclip the solendoid power cable. 5. Pull the starter out by the rear-end while rotating slightly. This is the frustrating part, finding the right orientation for comfortable removal. If you have to force it, you don't have it oriented correctly. Hope this helps. __________________ River's Father 94 4Runner SR5 Stock 3.0L 3VZE \| red \| 31 BFG's \| rebuild completed 94 Pickup -- Stock 2.4L 22RE \| red \| 31's BFG's \| rebuild 2007 - sold to Guatemala 84 Pickup Stock 2.4L 22R \| rust Mercedez E320 -- Stock \| champaign \| GY's \| mint

12-29-2008, 01:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
BamZipPow Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 129	Find the positive wire fer yer battery. Trace that down to the starter.

01-02-2009, 10:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
elnido Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 168	Thanks for the useful info! I may tackle this after all. Is changing the contacts tough? Any other tips for removing the starter or changing contacts? __________________ '95.5 T100 sr5 3.4L 4X4

01-03-2009, 05:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
ahickman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 363	Here is a walk-through on removal. Once you get the starter out, you simply remove two screws in order to remove the cover plate. Remove the two bolts/nuts holding the contacts on and you are golden. Very, very easy. Just keep the fingers warm! http://www.yotatech.com/~corey/tech/...imrockford.htm __________________ River's Father 94 4Runner SR5 Stock 3.0L 3VZE \| red \| 31 BFG's \| rebuild completed 94 Pickup -- Stock 2.4L 22RE \| red \| 31's BFG's \| rebuild 2007 - sold to Guatemala 84 Pickup Stock 2.4L 22R \| rust Mercedez E320 -- Stock \| champaign \| GY's \| mint

01-03-2009, 06:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,560	I would not suggest fixing a starter as your first repair job. Easy to actually fix. PITA to R/R. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

01-04-2009, 04:02 AM	#11 (permalink)
BrownsfaninMN Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 33	How long? How long have people have had the "click" while starting (requiring numberous attempts before the starter in fact makes contact)? Has it stranded anybody? Again I'd like to wait until Spring to work on it, wondering if it'll last for another 3 months if I can.

01-04-2009, 04:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
BrownsfaninMN Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 33	...it just recently started like 2 weeks ago.

01-04-2009, 06:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,560	I had mine like that for over a year, but I also knew it was the contacts so if it wouldn't start I just tapped the starter with a hammer or crescent wrench and it would start right up. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

01-04-2009, 08:07 AM	#14 (permalink)
91diesel Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 202	I also unbolted the left motor mount and jacked up that side of the motor a little, I also had headers on, but it made it a little easier.

01-07-2009, 09:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
BlackToySteve Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 35	Starter My truck started doing the OPs issue after off-roading once. Did a lot of watery mud. It would start if I banged on it enought times with a tire iron. Turned out the nut was loose on the starter. Cleaned it off, cinched it up, and haven't had a day of trouble since. __________________ 1994 Toyota T100, 3.slow V6, AT, 5.29's, front locker, 32x11.50's, Northwest Pinstriping

01-07-2009, 10:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
seaofnames Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mission, BC Posts: 151	My runner would spin and the plunger would not engage the flywheel when it was really cold and wet out. I noticed when I was putting in my new clutch earlier this year it was a bosch starter. I replaced the contacts, and it was still not engaging all the time. Turns out it was just the ty bosch starter. I got a remanned denso(1.8kW) and it is quieter, and starts quicker, every time. Check wiring, then the contacts and make sure its a denso starter before anything else. To put the new starter in took about 10 minutes, but of course this is with the truck on a hoist and a master tech from Toyota helping me __________________ 1996 4Runner. Revos, tundra brakes, 5" deckplate, ISR, inverter, addco sway bars, marlin 1200lb clutch. More to come!

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