If you ever plan on removing your starter, read this first.

[thegipper]

Got my starter fixed, was a total pain in the ass. Mtbtim's video was extremely helpful. I used my cordless impact and a bunch of extensions and a swivel to get out the bolts. I also couldn't get the electrical connector off until I got the bolts for the starter off (no offense but you guys must have tiny arms and hands lol).

This is the kit I used from ebay (9 bucks). Worked perfectly and came with a new plunger.

http://m.ebay.com/itm/TOYOTA-Starte...%3A3d83a9241560a5e0a20cae80fffaf2a7%7Ciid%3A1

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[mtbtim]

Got my starter fixed, was a total pain in the ass. Mtbtim's video was extremely helpful. I used my cordless impact and a bunch of extensions and a swivel to get out the bolts. I also couldn't get the electrical connector off until I got the bolts for the starter off (no offense but you guys must have tiny arms and hands lol).

This is the kit I used from ebay (9 bucks). Worked perfectly and came with a new plunger.

Toyota Starter Repair Kit Solenoid Contacts Plunger Rebuild Parts Set | eBay

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Hey, glad you found my video helpful. Do you have a 1.4kw or 1.8kw starter? Trying to find an affordable plunger and contact kit for a 1.8kw starter so I can add links to it and one for the 1.4kw as well so people will know where to get them.

 

[thegipper]

Hey, glad you found my video helpful. Do you have a 1.4kw or 1.8kw starter? Trying to find an affordable plunger and contact kit for a 1.8kw starter so I can add links to it and one for the 1.4kw as well so people will know where to get them.

I tried looking on all the labels but didn't couldn't tell if it was a 1.4kw or 1.8kw. The labels were also a little hard to read so that didn't help.

I could take a picture of the label and post it if that would help?

 

[mtbtim]

I tried looking on all the labels but didn't couldn't tell if it was a 1.4kw or 1.8kw. The labels were also a little hard to read so that didn't help.

I could take a picture of the label and post it if that would help?

Yes, taking a picture of the label would help but one of the dead give-aways of which one you have is whether you have an automatic or manual transmission. If you have an automatic. you'll have the 1.8kw starter unless the previous owner replaced it with a 1.4kw like happened to another member. If you have a manual, you'll probably have a 1.4kw starter unless your rig was bought with the "Cold Weather" package and then it would come with the 1.8kw.

 

[thegipper]

Well mine is an automatic and I'm 99% sure that was the original Denso starter so it's a 1.8kw and that ebay kit worked perfectly.

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[mtbtim]

Well mine is an automatic and I'm 99% sure that was the original Denso starter so it's a 1.8kw and that ebay kit worked perfectly.

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Cool. If you do have a picture of the label available, it would be great if we could 100% confirm it is a 1.8kw starter. If you don't, no worries. I wish I would have found this kit when I did my starter. Huge savings!

 

[thegipper]

I'll see if I can snap a picture of it tonight after work, I forgot to do it when I had it out...

 

[sage2050]

Just pulled my started and replaced the plates and plunger. pulling it out was as much of a ***** as everyone said, but now that I've done it once I don't think I'd be hesitant to do it again. On my 2000 2wd SR5 I only had to remove the bolt holding the dipstick to the motor to give the starter enough room to drop out.

When I was removing it, however, I couldn't get the plug off (the one behind the screwed on power terminal) and ended up snapping the whole thing to remove it. Theoretically I could retrieve the plug from the cable and rebuild the connection to the terminal, but that terminal is just grounded to the chassis of the starter, so I'm wondering if I should even bother. Thoughts?

 

[sage2050]

I went ahead and connected the plug back with some thick guage wire, gonna pop it back in later today.

 

[TheDurk]

Just pulled my started and replaced the plates and plunger. pulling it out was as much of a ***** as everyone said, but now that I've done it once I don't think I'd be hesitant to do it again. On my 2000 2wd SR5 I only had to remove the bolt holding the dipstick to the motor to give the starter enough room to drop out.

When I was removing it, however, I couldn't get the plug off (the one behind the screwed on power terminal) and ended up snapping the whole thing to remove it. Theoretically I could retrieve the plug from the cable and rebuild the connection to the terminal, but that terminal is just grounded to the chassis of the starter, so I'm wondering if I should even bother. Thoughts?

The small terminal is NOT grounded to the chassis. It is an insulated through connection to the solenoid, and without that connection the starter won't turn.

So yeah, bother.

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Anyone know how important the breathers are on those things? I knocked one of mine off when I was re-installing but really don't know if that's an issue.

 

[sage2050]

Cool. If you do have a picture of the label available, it would be great if we could 100% confirm it is a 1.8kw starter. If you don't, no worries. I wish I would have found this kit when I did my starter. Huge savings!

for what its worth, i bought this kit from amazon and it came with plates for both the 1.4kw and 1.8kw starters

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031HMS7C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anyone know how important the breathers are on those things? I knocked one of mine off when I was re-installing but really don't know if that's an issue.

i also broke mine off, guess we'll find out.

 

[sage2050]

I just crawled back under my t4r to tighten up the bolts, I found that a 1/4" ratchet with a 3" extension was the PERFECT length to get enough room to ratchet easily. The bottom bolt only had enough room for one click, but the top one could get a full third of a turn. I didn't even need to lift the car or take off the wheel.

 

[flyfishinguy]

replaced one on my 99 and was a pita. my 3yr old wanted to help but didn't have any ear plugs for her. dont think the wife would have been to fond of the new words that would have been learned.

 

[ts1221]

Sounds like this will be a lot of fun to try...guess I will find out soon! Thank you all for sharing!

 

[nwebb01]

Sounds like this will be a lot of fun to try...guess I will find out soon! Thank you all for sharing!

Need to do mine soon as well. Got to say, it sounds like my 99 Camry was a lot easier.

 

[kf4aqo]

Disclaimer: My agression may be slightly elevated at this current time due to personal issues.

I am so sick of internet know-it-alls giving out shitty information.
I swam through thread after thread after thread of all different tricks to remove your starter.
One guy says to unbolt the brake line and bend it out of the way, then remove the transmission dipstick.

Listen to me
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS REMOVE THE 2 NUTS AND 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR TO THE FRAME AND THE STARTER WILL FALL RIGHT OUT.

I'll type it again
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS REMOVE THE 2 NUTS AND 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR TO THE FRAME AND THE STARTER WILL FALL RIGHT OUT.

I just wasted 2 hours trying to snake this stupid thing out through the wheel well as this shitbird suggested.
It took me 5 minutes to unbolt the starter and contacts. 10 Minutes to work out the slightly rusty bolts on the sway bar. 12 seconds for the starter to drop out. Another 5 minutes to bolt the new starter and contacts. And 5 more to bolt the sway bar back in.

One more time...
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS REMOVE THE 2 NUTS AND 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR TO THE FRAME AND THE STARTER WILL FALL RIGHT OUT.

Is your method for a 2wd or 4wd? Thanks

 

[7echo]

Is your method for a 2wd or 4wd? Thanks

Sorry to say but the OP has not been on since 2014.

 

[kolelt]

Last time, took me 5 mins to remove it. Fixed it. And about 10 mins back in.

 

[kf4aqo]

Last time, took me 5 mins to remove it. Fixed it. And about 10 mins back in.

I sure wish I had your skill - 3 hrs so far, electrical connections off - and brake lines loose - can't get the lower starter bolt to budge. I haven't even found the upper bolt yet.
(I wasn't trying to be a smart a** - I just don't see an easier way. (Mine is 4wd by the way.)