Well I replaced my battery yesterday because it seem like the logical thing to do. I've been experienceing difficult starts and it is now getting worse. When I turn the key there is just a loud click and nothing happens. I turn it a few more times and it continues to do it but eventually starts. I did a search on the topic and I'm led to believe its the contacts in the starter solenoid. HaveBlue did a nice write up in the tech section on how to remove/install the starter but I'm wondering if I'll be able to tackle this job. I just spent a lot of wrench time on the truck already yesterday, because I decided to replace all the belts and the battery. I guess what I need is some people to tell me they've tried it and it is do-able.
Thanks
-Tim

 

I just replaced my starter about a month ago only to attempt to start it and hear the same clicking sound, so I cleaned off all the connections and it worked just fine, then I got to put the old starter back on, so just check all your connections first and then replacing the starter once isn't that bad.

 

OK - YOU CAN DO IT! With a suspension and body lift it should be pretty easy. Be sure to disconnect the battery and have every socket extension you own on hand. Once you've got it out, follow the procedure in the write up and you'll be fine. Oh, and don't go to Toyota for new contacts - someone in town will have them for less than half of what Toyota charges.

 

if you get the starter out than the rest of the procedure only take about 5 minutes then reinstall. the contact replacement is one of the easyest jobs to do on a toyota (resides removal and reinstall of the starter its self.
with my 87 I think the whole procedure took 18 minutes including cleaning the starter. but that was a 22re.
David

 

My starter went bad a few years back, but it wasn't due to back solenoid. The heat (summertime) softened the laquer-type insulation on the field coils and they shorted out. Y'all had some heat this summer. You might check those field coils out while your at it.

 

Thanks for the advice! I'll check the connections first and I'll pick up the contacts at Napa if they can get them.

 

NAPA can't get them. Anyone have Toyota part #'s? My local Toyota dealership has a bunch of dikheads working in their parts department.

 

4Crawler has them for sale. I think the part numbers are also listed in that link. I replaced mine a few months ago and haven't had any starting troubles sinces. Its really not too bad of a job. I bet it will be even easier for you to get the starter out since you have a body lift.

 

Jayson,
Thanks for the info and the link. I forgot how much useful information there is on Roger's site. I'm going to borrow the long socket extensions from a co-worker and I'm going to give it a shot tomorrow.

 

YW. Let me know if you have any other questions once you tear into it. Most of what I did to mine is still pretty fresh in my head.
Good Luck!