My starter is clicking and only starting after about ten attempts. As I am going to be short a vehicle when I tear this down, I need to order parts before I pull the starter. I know that it is probably the solenoid contacts, but I may just decide to go ahead and purchase a complete rebuilt starter. Therefore, I have three questions:

1) Has anyone had luck with just replacing the solenoid contacts and plunger, or am I likely to be wasting my time and money??

2) How do I determine if I have a 1.2 kW -2.0kW starter? The shop manual seems to distinquish between a 1.2kW / 1.4kW and 1.8kw / 2.0kW starters and when I look at new starters (such as on ToyotaPartSales.com...they list all four kW rated starters for the 1998 2.7 T100)? Is the kW rating on the starter somewhere or can I tell by the equipment my 1998 T100 came with?

3)Has anyone purchased any of the starters or Solenoid Rebuild Kits from Ebay?? The savings are worth noting if the products are good....any opinions?? Most of those that I see do not seem to specify the kW ratings??

Here is one that I am looking at, This one does say 2.0kW for $109 free ship:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-STARTER...rts_Accessories

I am also looking at this solenoid rebuild kit for about $34 that includes the plunger:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...id=320245379400

What have you guys done and what are your thoughts? Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

 

It's easy to rebuild yer starter contacts/plunger.

4Crawler starter contacts link...

 

4x4wire.com starter repair article...

 

Yes, TONS. When I first bought my Tacoma a year and a half ago.. it had a bad intermittent start issue. I took a gamble on this being the contacts being the issue, replaced them (just the contacts, not the plunger) and have been running strong for 50K miles. Seriously, Aisin Electronics are some of the best out there. DO NOT repeat DO NOT go trading your factory AISIN starter off to the vatozone peeps. Sure, the ones at the part stores have lifetime warranties but I'd rather not have to change one 12 times in 2 years.

Just get the contacts. It took me 3 hours to do mine on my 2.7.

 

THANKS for the replies!! I will do as you suggest and rebuild the starter, beginning with the solenoid contacts. Thanks for the how-to links as well, that will help!
Slowdog

 

Another question...now that I have reviewed those how-to links. Since I need the parts in hand when I pull the starter is there a way to know which contacts to purchase based on my starter part number.

My starter is the Denso 28100-75120 (228000-2990) which is the optional 2.0 kW with cold start Starter.....any ideas on which of those 4 contacts will be the correct ones??

I know I can buy them all and return those not used, but if there is a way to match the contact part numbers with the starter it would sure be easier. Thanks again for your help!!
Slowdog

 

Find your part numbers here:
http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/