Hello all.
I've searched the forums to help diagnose my problem. thought I had it figured out, but now I'm not so sure.

symptom: starter not engaging when key is turned. intermittent problem. turning the key a few more times gets it going.

first idea: from what I've read, it seemed like the contacts inside the starter. was going to order the part from one of the guys who has written this fix up. hadn't done it yet

today: turn the key, starter engages, but won't disengage. continues to crank when engine is running. shut it off and remove the key. still cranking. eventally it stops.

starter relay? bad ignition switch? I have the commando 870 (alarm/remote starter) installed. Soldered and heat wrapped all ignition connections. bad unit?

anyone else have this happen? Thanks for your input.

 

Sounds like your starter clutch needs to be replaced because it is sticking either engaged (starter won't disengage) or disengaged (starter just spins). I wouldn't really call those easilly serviceable parts either so I would replace it with a reman'd unit instead of trying to rebuild the curent one. It could also be the starter contacts arcing but you won't know unless you pull and inspect.

 

I had the exact same problem starting and took it to 2 different shops and they couldn't find a problem because it was so intermittent. I did not have the probelm with it staying on though. I went ahead and ordered the contacts(I think from an ebay store) for about $5. Replaced them and have never had a problem since(9 months). It is such a cheap fix and some of the toyota starters are known for it. Doing the job does take some work though because you have to pull the passenger front wheel and remove a cover to get to the starter. Now comes the fun part, you can get to one of the 2 bolts pretty easily the other is by straight feel. I used a flexible extension(with 2 u-joints on it if i remember). Look on the net and there are some good instructions(with pics). Repost if you can't find them or need anything else.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was convinced it was the contacts until today. I'm currently leaning toward a bad ignition switch or starter relay. I haven't managed to get my hands on the contact wires (the little ones, not the big one from the battery) on the starter to see if that's the problem. Anyone have a tip on how to get to that? sounds like I need to go in from the passenger wheel well.

Thanks again.

 

Pull the starter off first and do the good old jumper cable test on it if it stays engaged then its in the starter if not its in the switchs.

 

I would lean toward the starter relay. I had a similar problem and replacing the relay did the trick