About 4 days ago I started getting intermittent starter problems. When I turn the key to start, I get a click. If I keep turning the key, eventually I make contact and it cranks normally. It has never completely died on me and sometimes it cranks fine on the first try. Dealership man says alot of these aging starters' contacts wear thin and need replacing. And that is the case 99% of the time. He quoted me 200 bucks for the job providing the starter motor isn't bad. I have tools and a mechanical inclination but also I'm blessed with large hands and a short temper. I've also seen where that starter is and i'd rather have pay to have someone else do it. Is 200 bucks too high for that service? The book says 3 hrs labor. Should I go ahead and just replace the entire starter?

 

For the love of god don't give anyone $200 to do it. I had the same exact problem as you and did mine last week. I replaced the contacts for $15. There was a write-up on this recently. #1 tool will be a ratchet extension. Didnt get mine until 2 hours into the job and it flew by after that.

 

Type "starter problem" into the search bar

This is what you are looking for
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3...-heavy-105098/

 

Or this:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

He also sells the parts you need!

 

even still a new remaned starter from advance is like 50

 

Wrong. A remanufactured starter is $140 plus a $50 core charge.

 

This thread just saved me a bunch of money. I was getting the intermittant 'click' when trying to start, went on for a few weeks until I finally had the time to get after it. The 'starter repair kit' was $17 from the dealer.

This post was the one I used for my 1990 3.Slow

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/starter/

However, the poster said it only took him an hour. It took me 3, two of which I spent cussing, smoking, and throwing wrenches, while trying to free the starter from it's home. Like a friggin puzzle or something. What a PITA!

It's funny, when I put it back in, I had to pull it back out again because I forgot to tighten a nut on the starter, and it slipped out like there was PLENTY of room. Figures.

 

I did this job for $14 for new contacts. BTW, don't buy an aftermarket rebuild at crapola autoparts. If you replace the contacts in your factory original starter you will have a much higher quality starter than the starter-shaped object the auto parts store sells to you.

 

yes the search feature works wonders on here. See how I did mine. My starter was clicking for about 6 months. I finally had a day off and took it out and put new contacts in it. My 94 pickup 22re I had done the same twice. My buddy has a 97 honda accord and I bought him the toy contacts and he has been good for the last 2 years.

Cost yeah about 15-20 bucks in the contacts and about 7.99 for a 12 pack. Take your time and start early on a nice cool day. Should take yeah no more than 3 hours max. If you get frustrated just take a little walk. It's not the end of the world.

 

Too bad I didn't read this thread sooner. I have an extra set of contacts from a solenoid rebuild I did on my 97 runner with the same symptoms. The new contacts and plunger I intstalled did the trick for 25.00.

I have the extra contacts because, while I'm a capable backyard hack, I don't follow online ordering instructions well and I ordered two sets

Unfortunately, I'm also not very well organized, so the contacts are at the bottom of one of several moving boxes I have yet to empty. If anyone wants them, I'll dig them out.....

 

See this thread...
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3...ips-how-89042/

 

the toyota part numbers for my 2000 3.4 4runner are 28226-74070 & 28226-54340. hopefully this will be helpful to others.