For those of you who have been having recurring problems with your starter (or other electrics) - do you live in an area where liquid de-icers (typicaly MgCl (Magnesium Chloride)) are used? I've spoken with several people here in Colorado who all started having starter problems shortly after the road crews started using MgCl. I had no problems with my 4Runner for over five years. The spring after MgCl was first used widely, I began having starter troubles - troubles that keep coming back. Any thoughts?

 

But CDOT swears that MgCl is non-conductive and that electric pole fires are a coincidence. Riiight. :rolleyes:

I replaced my starter twice inside of two months. I think the first starter was defective. The second time I installed it, I wised up and wrapped it with Thermo-tec starter heat shield. So far, so good.

Here's my take on MgCl:
For all the cons, there is only one pro.
Pro:
It keeps the street relatively ice-free

Cons:
The mist created by numerous tires sending the stuff airborn is corroding power lines, transformers, and vehicle chassis.
The mist created is currently being investigated for causing respiratory problems (I'm one of them)
The runoff from combination melted ice/snow and MgCl is contaminating the water systems and corroding the water system pipes, etc.

There's more, but I need to get back to work.