Recently my 1990 Toyota 4Runner V6 started clicking and not starting when I go to start it on a cold engine. It often takes me over 10 tries before it finally starts. When it finally does start cranking it sounds very strained. It sounds like my solenoid is going bad. I was wondering if the solenoid can be replaced on this engine without replacing the whole starter. Also, has anyone replaced a solenoid/ starter on a 3.0 before? How much time, money, and skill does it require?

 

See below for the fix:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

 

Definitely follow 4crawler's link. It helped me out immensely in fixing my starter problems.

 

For what it's worth, I just changed my whole starter and solenoid. It was over 10 years old with 200K on it. I figured it had done the job. I do approve of just changing the solenoid or the brushes in the starter. This was my personal preference because I tried to do a rebuild on my power steering pump and the shaft ended up being bad so the rebuild kit was a waste of money. The hardest part of the job for me was I didn't realize there is a panel that unbolts from the fender well so you can get the starter out! So much road grime and dirt had covered the bolt heads!

 

eh, I just had to pull off the Marty McFly thing and bang my head on the steering wheel to even get mine to start turning over but yeah follow the link and you;ll be set!

 

I did the same. I didn't know how old the starter was and it was pretty crappy looking, so I just replaced it and was done with it.

Rob

 

i just did mine... i recommend you buy some looong extensions. the starter is my least favorite thing to do on the 3vze

 

I had my starter replaced yesterday.. :-)
Got tired of sometimes coming out to my truck and getting 'click' and nothing else..

 

So I finally just replaced the whole starter today. For a while I justified saving myself the time and money by telling myself it always starts, but I just got tired of it sometimes taking 30+ clicks before it started. I am glad I decided to spend the extra money and just replace the whole thing given that it has about 157,000 miles on it and I NEVER want to remove/ put a starter on a 3.0 again. It took myself, and my friend who is a little more mechanically inclined and has small enough arms to get to the damn thing, about three hours to complete the job. We had to completely remove two transmission hard lines going to the radiator just to get it out. But the good news is it did fix my problem. Thanks for all the advice.

 

good thread, mine does this also.
it is very random when it does it tho.