For many months my starter labored, worse some days than others. A few weeks ago the inevitable happened: I turned the key and nothing happened. I hit it with a hammer and it started So, I bought a new plunger/contacts, pulled out the Denso starter, replaced them, and put it back in. And, bought a new battery. Since, it's worked every time, but it doesn't seem to have quite the "spunk" that i expected from a fresh rebuild. About 3 weeks later - this morning - I turned the key and nothing. The lights on the dash come on, and the ding is there for the door being open, but total silence re the starter. Should I have put in a new starter? Is there something else aside from the starter contacts I need to check? I've checked the battery cable connections but I haven't tried hitting it yet. I wanted to ask here first. thank you.
2002 4runner 4wd 188k starter?
- Thread starter tobers
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
phattyduck
Elite Member
The contacts may have spun internally (overtightening the external connection, etc.) or some other similar issue. Sticky solenoid due to leftover dirt, etc... Also check the wiring near the battery closely while you are in there.
If you can't find anything with an inspection, you can get a Denso rebuild from RockAuto or your local parts store.
My most recent starter issue was solved with new contacts and plunger - it was a Denso rebuild that was ~150k old with failed contacts.
-Charlie
If you can't find anything with an inspection, you can get a Denso rebuild from RockAuto or your local parts store.
My most recent starter issue was solved with new contacts and plunger - it was a Denso rebuild that was ~150k old with failed contacts.
-Charlie
TheDurk
Elite Member
Since it is totally dead, you need to verify the starter is receiving 12V+ on the small post connection. if good, then I'd check the entire electrical chain, positive and ground. remove, clean and reinstall battery terminals, fender ground, and the engine ground by the diagnostic plug. Inspect battery cables carefully...any bubbling on the insulation may indicate a problem within. no joy, then swap it, but if it is factory, don't trade it in on a reman. Pay the core fee, and get it looked at. It may be just need brushes or maybe you screwed up the contact swap with the wrong parts or something. Then keep it as a reserve for when the reman craps out, as they frequently do. A puppy dies every time someone swaps a factory Denso core on a reman purchase.
thanks, all! I got under the car and hit the starter a couple of times. It started. So I just ordered a remade Denso. I don't think i did the contacts wrong, but possibly. Or, maybe the windings are bad? thanks again. It would have been nice to do this job once, versus twice ...
brillo_76
Elite Member
Most likely the plunger and contacts in the solenoid are warn out. That is what Was wrong with the last one a rebilt.. Life on starters and alternators are 180 to 250K ...
So you are right in the window.Did it have nothing or a single click when you tried to start?? Dead giveaway the contacts gone if everything else tested out properly. Excellent call getting a Denso reman mfg.
phattyduck
Elite Member
He already did the contacts/plunger on the current starter. I'm guessing something is loose or misaligned with the home rebuild. I'm generally good with mechanical work and still messed it up once (on an older Toyota)...Most likely the plunger and contacts in the solenoid are warn out. That is what Was wrong with the last one a rebilt.. Life on starters and alternators are 180 to 250K ...
Did it have nothing or a single click when you tried to start?? Dead giveaway the contacts gone if everything else tested out properly. Excellent call getting a Denso reman mfg.
I generally suggest a 'contacts and plunger' rebuild once, then an 'official' Denso rebuilt unit the second time around. That'll get you new brushes, bearings, etc. along with contacts and plunger.
-Charlie
brillo_76
Elite Member
Fair enough....I am just hoping its just the starter and not the back of the key contact etc. As why I stated everything else checks out. As this happened to me once. I ended up replacing a starter for nothing. :-(
I need to tell the end of the story. I put the remanufactured DENSO in. Was all done but hooking up the little "S" wire. I slid the male connector into the new starter, and it went in, but it also came out. I couldn't get it to click "in." Cuss So close. So I pulled the whole starter again and went back to the dealer. He confirmed the starter I had was the right one, and that the female plastic piece was the same as the old one. So, went back. Put it in again. Again: it wouldn't stay in. Pulled it all out again and tried to get it to work. I couldn't. So I put it all back together and drove it to the dealer (evidently there was enough contact to let the starter fire). The parts guy looked at the pic of my male connector, and pulled a new one. Clearly something had broken off of my male connector due to being old and brittle. I needed a $17 new connector. I was done. Paid the dealer to do it. Word to the wise: if your male connector won't click in, and stay in, you've likely got a broken male connector. Charged me $120 for maybe 5-10 minutes, but hey - I didn't have to get under there again.
