(Another) Starter Contacts Removal Thread!

[dmk75]

I did mine yesterday

Thanks a lot for this visual help! I was able to do it myself with no mechanic experience at all! It wasn't easy though.
I used Non-toyota parts bought from a local place. All 3 parts (2 contacts and plunger) cost me less than $13 and the guy told me that Toyota buys them from the same place and that place is not Japan.
I was able to pull starter out and cleaned it all inside and out. Lubricated with fresh grease and it works great now.

Thanks guys for your support.

Mine is 4Runner SR5 1999, 2WD, 160K, transmission radiator.

 

[Bill_Dunnigan]

great work, i'll be taking a stab at this later this month

 

[jdjohn84]

Great write-up!

I think I'm going to have to do this on my son's runner. It only starts about every 4th try or so, and when it doesn't start, it kind of has a buzz/humm noise when attempting to crank.

 

[jdjohn84]

Hmmm...I'm thinking this may have already been done on my used vehicle. There is no plastic cover over the starter wire nut, and the black plastic slide-on connector is being held in place with a zip tie. Someone must have broken the connector on the starter at some point, because there is not much left to it, and when you pull the plug off, you see the exposed connector copper fin thingy.

Crap, I guess I'll have to take it off anyway to check the contacts. I just wonder if the zip tie rigging is the real problem.

 

[jdjohn84]

Got mine done. I have a 2WD, so I took the starter out through the bottom towards the front. I did take the flaps down a bit in the wheel well (fore and aft of the strut), but I only used the openings for viewing and reaching. I did not remove the exhaust bracket; it really didn't come into play for me. And maybe it was a given, but you obviously have to drop the rear skid plate to access the starter from underneath.

Interesting...mine was a NAPA starter, not OEM. I guess that means the OEM starter went bad at some point (probably just the contacts), and the previous owner had it replaced with a NAPA starter. Anyway, I changed the contact plates and plunger in the NAPA starter; they needed it badly. I kept the starter connector as it was (just the brass tab sticking out from the black plastic), and used a zip tie to keep it together when reassembling.

The FSM discusses using a press and a piece of wood to hold the new contact plates level and in place while tightening the nuts. I noticed no one in this thread went to that trouble (or didn't mention it). I don't have a press, but I improvised and used a big C-clamp to hold the plunger compressed down onto the contacts to keep them level and in place while I tightened the nuts.

Putting the starter back in was my biggest challenge. Again, from the bottom front, I had to put it in going upward, back first, then stick the back back into the engine bay under the exhaust manifold as far as possible, twist it a bit to clear the engine mount, and finally twist a bit more to get the starter gear into the opening of the flywheel. Yeah, sounds straightforward, but it took several strained attempts to get it done. Lots of trial and error holding a 15lb starter with fumbling hands and contorted arms under the frame, around the strut, brake line, and tranny fluid lines. I agree with a previous poster about removing the upper tranny dipstick tube. That would have made it much easier, but of course I did it the hard way and left it on. It was going to be my last resort.

It is absolutely necessary to have plenty of extensions and breaker bars, in addition to a ratchet set, with this project. I suggest only using 6-point sockets, as 12-point sockets would likely slip and round-off the bolt heads. I also recognized now that I need to get some bigger, taller jack stands for working on this 4Runner.

Lots of good info on this thread! Thanks to all for sharing!

 

[thepogi]

Great write-up!!!!

So far so good, mine is not having that problem (knock on wood). But if that time comes, I'm definitely referring to this thread.

Thanks Comark for the write-up and thanks also to all for sharing!

BTW, mine is a 3rd gen 2000 T4R v6 limited 2wd

 

[TegoXR]

It's a little different.....one of the contacts is the same the other is offset.
P/N's
28235-54380 Plunger magnet switch
28226-54340 Kit starter repair
28226-72010 Starter kit

:cheers:

Are these the correct part numbers for a '99 2WD V6 auto?

 

[TegoXR]

Just an update, just finished replacing the starter contacts and the one bolt that is attached to the exhaust bracket was a PITA but unfortunately it broke. Doesn't seem to make any effect at all on the exhaust so whatever...lol! I don't know if its because mine is a 2WD, I was able to remove the starter with ease and work on it on my workbench. Removing the skidplates makes a huge difference I found! All said and done, $14.73 for parts from Toyota.

 

[Woodsie8]

Can I assume that this tread is good for a 2000 Limited?

I bought the contacts and now need to deliver to my local mechanic. I want to print these instructions for him, if they are good for a 2000 Limited 4WD.
Thanks,

 

[D-roq]

I bought the contacts and now need to deliver to my local mechanic. I want to print these instructions for him, if they are good for a 2000 Limited 4WD.
Thanks,

Yeah it should be the same for all 3rd gens. If the mechanic is any good he should know how to change them out already, and it should only take about half an hour start to finish, barring any problems.

 

[Woodsie8]

different for 4WD vs 2WD, correct?

Same location, etc., just a few more things to remove?
He works on all the locals cars, but I think he hasn't worked on every year, every model. He did say, why don't we just replace starter. I told him I already had the contacts and just wanted those replaced.
He is very reasonable and tends to figure out what he needs to figure out. I have not had a problem with him. He has came to my driveway and fixed something.
Just a country kind of mechanic that works out of a triple car garage, without any sign or anything. Just word of mouth.

 

[D-roq]

It should be the same location. I have a 2wd so it was super simple to do; the 4wd's are a little more involved from what i've read, but should still be relatively easy.

 

[farmerjon]

It's a little different.....one of the contacts is the same the other is offset.
P/N's
28235-54380 Plunger magnet switch
28226-54340 Kit starter repair
28226-72010 Starter kit

:cheers:

Are these really the part numbers for a 4x4, 3.4L V6 3rd Gen (1998)? Would be incredibly helpful if someone could confirm. All I have to do is get these and I'll be good to go?

 

[So Many Roads]

Thanks for the writeup

CoMarc - thanks for the writeup - made everything really simple.

I was able to pull the starter out, by bringing it out just above the steering rack. Made the job much easier. ('99 SR5, 5 spd, 6cyl, 4WD).

As others have said, the symptom I had was a single click when I went to start the engine. Day one, after a few tries it would start. Three days later, the truck would not start at all.

The local dealership had the contacts in stock. The contacts do not have a parts number assigned to them. The parts guy called them a 'right contact' and a 'square contact.' $21 (really?) for the pair, after the shop discount.

They also sold the contacts as part of a kit (each side separately.) The kit contained the contact, bolt, washer, nut, o-ring, etc. The kits may be what farmerjohn references above.

Thanks again - SMR

 

[dfields82]

Awesome thread

Thank you so much for the thread. I was hearing a single click when I tried to start my 3rd gen 4runner (v6). I would hear a single click every time i turned the key. It would eventually start after numerous tries. It finally got to the point where when it did crank it was really weak. Eventually it if I did get the ignition to engage it would crank but it wouldn't turn over at all. I found this thread, bought some contacts and installed them. I decided to take the starter out through the wheel well, I wasn't confident in my ability to do the work in the frame. It was a bit of a pain but I eventually got it. I just finished about an hour ago and all seems well. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Anyway, can't thank you enough for the write-up. Saved me a good $85

 

[jmildoc]

Thanks for posting this awesome thread!!!

 

[Harleydoc]

I need replace mine sometime but I am a lazy bum right now.... Lol

 

[jmildoc]

I need/want to do mine too just cause it's the stock starter with 180k on it. But work and getting an MBA has taken all my free time lately.

 

[CoMarc]

Thanks for posting this awesome thread!!!

You're welcome!

 

[ICD]

Project on the todo list.

My issue could be related to this. It's only happened twice, and only after we **** her completely off and when we try to fire her back up she won't. I pop the hood wiggle the battery plugs and then she will fire up.