Last night I started up my 1998 Tacoma with the 5vz, and I heard an odd noise, I didn't really think much of it at first, so I proceded home, the noise continued, so I pulled off to the side of the road and shut the truck off, and the noise continued. This is when I realized the starter motor was continuing to run, so I started the truck again, and turned it off and the motor finally stopped turning. All this happened within a 1-2 minute time period. My question now is what would cause this, and do I need a new starter?

 

You may or may not need a new starter, depending on whether you damaged yours.

Sounds like you need to replace the contacts in the starter. Go here:

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

hupptoy

 

Thanks for the link, I'll start digging into things soon, if does it again...

 

No if's about it, it WILL do it again and soon. You need to fix this ASAP unless you don't mind buying a new starter when the next time it burns up. Starters are expensive compared to the few dollars for new contacts.

hupptoy

 

and it could tear up the teeth on the flywheel if it does it again too

 

my 3rd gen. Had a similar starter problem. I was trying to crank it. and the starter would just crank crank crank crank for like maybe a good 45secs. I try to like turn it off by turning the key to the off position. so i was like oh crap and after awhile it would stop cranking on its own and fired right up. happened to me twice over the course of owning the truck.

 

Is it possible for me to replace the starter with one from the cold weather package, if it doesn't already have one?

 

Yes u can. I think that one has more juice for the same amount. Might as well..

 

How can I tell the difference between the normal and cold weather starter? will it be visably marked 1.4kw or 1.8kw?

 

When you heard the noise, and determined that the starter was still running with the engine stopped, was it the same noise?

i.e., was the noise with the engine running the same as when it wasn't?

And then was the noise a "whrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrring" sound (like a motor spining free) or was the engine _cranking_?

If it the noise was the same in both states (engine on & off) and it was a whirring sound, then I'd suspect the ignition switch and/or the starter solenoid. Something is applying power to the starter but the solenoid isn't pushing the starter gear out into the flywheel. That's the whirring sound.

 

Anyone familiar with OEM brand rebuilt starters? They go through them good and replace alot of the parts. A reputable parts store in my area sells them, so they must be fairly decent. They want $159+core charge, or I can take it into the starter rebuild shop and they said they can probally repair it for $50, but they said it could be more once they start tearing into it.
I think I am just going to get the new starter