Best price for new starter?

[cj80cruiser]

I need a new starter. I'm not looking to replace the contacts. I want to buy new. Do you guys have a good website for me to find one relatively cheap as far as toyota starters are concerned?

 

[Mojo29]

OEM is always the best option but pricey. I got a new one, not rebuilt from Napa for $140.

 

[rjaudi]

I would highly encourage you to just replace the contacts, that is what I did. A starter retails for 220 from Toyota.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I would highly encourage you to just replace the contacts, that is what I did. A starter retails for 220 from Toyota.

I know a lot of people have done this but I'm wondering how reliable a fix like that is.

Any complaints from anyone?

 

[BrianSD_42]

although I went on a rant about using only Toyota parts the other day, I actually went with a Kragens off-brand starter in 2005. It has worked fine ever since. Back then I thought all parts were created equal. That said, the starter can't ruin your engine or risk your life like for instance a failure of the lower ball joints.

 

[cj80cruiser]

although I went on a rant about using only Toyota parts the other day, I actually went with a Kragens off-brand starter in 2005. It has worked fine ever since. Back then I thought all parts were created equal. That said, the starter can't ruin your engine or risk your life like for instance a failure of the lower ball joints.

That's true but I'd rather not get left stranded especially in some of the places I travel. I guess nobody does, but if my starter went out last monday or tuesday I'd have been hiking 15 miles or so to the nearest house which was do able but not something I would have been happy about. I'm wanting to stay OEM but not sure if contacts are the most reliable fix or just get a new starter all together. If $220 is the going rate then maybe I'll just do the contacts and hope that's all it takes and everything goes well.

Has anyone paid less than $220 for a new OEM starter? If so, where did you get it?

 

[RS Dude]

Toyota starters are fully rebuildable. Keep it and rebuild it, even if you have to pay someone to do it. All of the aftermarket starters are junk.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Toyota starters are fully rebuildable. Keep it and rebuild it, even if you have to pay someone to do it. All of the aftermarket starters are junk.

By rebuild are you referring to the contacts or is there something else to be replaced?

Nevermind, I read a FAQs on mud and saw a right up on what can be replaced.

 

[rjaudi]

The contacts and plunger set me back 50 dollars at the local dealer. You will realize when you take it apart that the copper pieces simply wear to the point that the plunger can no longer make good contact with both contacts. The rest of the starter is bulletproof I hear.

 

[BrianSD_42]

have you tried hitting the starter with a pipe?

no sh#t that worked for me for a few weeks until I was able to replace it.

 

[cj80cruiser]

have you tried hitting the starter with a pipe?

no sh#t that worked for me for a few weeks until I was able to replace it.

I tried hitting it the first day I realized turning the key 7 times wasn't working its usual charm. Even the coaxing of my metal shaft wouldn't get her to turn over so I guess she gets new contacts. I would like to buy a new plunger too but at $35 and the parts guy telling me that he rarely ever sells the plunger made me reconsider going that route. So in the end I guess I'm going cheap and only replacing the contacts unless that plunger is falling apart I won't be replacing it.

 

[DH4Runner]

The Plunger is probably ok, at least mine looked ok but I replaced it anyway. Just be sure to get all the buildup off of it.

Also, I was able to find the whole setup on eBay for 35 bucks. You might chek there if you didn't already buy. Good luck

 

[rjaudi]

You do not need the plunger, I just replaced it since I had to remove it anyway. The problem is one of the contacts wears faster than the other and when it gets to a point the plunger doesnt make good contact with both contacts. The plunger should wear even so it will be fine.

 

[cj80cruiser]

The Plunger is probably ok, at least mine looked ok but I replaced it anyway. Just be sure to get all the buildup off of it.

Also, I was able to find the whole setup on eBay for 35 bucks. You might chek there if you didn't already buy. Good luck

How did you clean your plunger....the one in the starter I mean :wink2:

 

[Baja Runner]

The Toyota starters are meant to last 300,000... at least. In my opinion, its stupid to replace the starter. Replacing the contacts takes 15 extra minutes at most... and it is THE fix.

I just replaced my mom's starter in her Camry, since it was a Sunday and she needed the car the very next day to go on a trip, I had to buy an Autozone starter. Its not nearly as well made, and cost $120. At least it has a lifetime warranty.