Is your starter going??? Quick and easy repair!!!

[Jason B]

Ok, well, I did what Adam F said, and just unbolted the starter and did the repair with the starter still in the vehicle! No need to take it out of the vehicle. Not bad at all! The trick is unclipping the mud flap guards in the inner passenger fender, then smooth sailing. Took 2 hours. I got the contacts at my Toyota dealer. They had 3 different styles, and I just bought two of each, and returned the ones I didn't use.

After unbolting the starter bolts (use 2 long extensions 6" or more with 1/2 drive/and the largest ratchet you have with swivel, remove the trans stick, unbolt the brakeline), you can twist the started around to face the passenger side wheel well. This lets you remove the 3 bolts on the solenoid cover:

With cap off. The bottom contact is the one that wears out and the one that everyone is replacing:

I only replaced the bad contact, as the other was barely worn. Comparo of old and new contact. Crazy how much the plunger dug into it over time:

Next, I put some brake cleaner on a rag and wiped out the inside and installed the new contact, on bottom in photo:

After two hours, this is what I was left with:

Remember, you DO NOT have to remove the starter to do this repair.

 

[bak3rme]

WOOT WOOT! nice nice, i was reading the thread about this, because i ahve that problem where i turn the key and get a click..but everything turns on..takes about 4 or 5 times to finally start..so i'm goign to start this soon.

never seen a starter in my life before...so i hope this all goes well for me.

how much were the contact parts ?

after install, should u notice a quicker start? or just regular?

 

[Adam F]

Good job man! I told you it was no big deal! There's always shortcuts to every repair! I try to find these on every fix I do, especially at work.

 

[Cambo]

Good job. Do you have a part number and approximate price for these? Thanks

 

[Glockwarrior]

WOOT WOOT! nice nice, i was reading the thread about this, because i ahve that problem where i turn the key and get a click..but everything turns on..takes about 4 or 5 times to finally start..so i'm goign to start this soon.

never seen a starter in my life before...so i hope this all goes well for me.

how much were the contact parts ?

after install, should u notice a quicker start? or just regular?

It should be pretty easy..I checked here on the site for past post and how to's...my parts were $10 out the door at the dealer..Good Luck..it works!

 

[p nut]

Good info!

 

[Jason B]

Good job. Do you have a part number and approximate price for these? Thanks

There was no part # from the dealer, just ask for an assortment of starter contacts, them bring back what you don't use. My dealer charged me $5 per contact.

 

[Glockwarrior]

There was no part # from the dealer, just ask for an assortment of starter contacts, them bring back what you don't use. My dealer charged me $5 per contact.

I took mine in and they matched them up with no problems..mine were $5 each too

 

[norcal_WERKZ]

did mine jan 09, got both contacts for 8 bucks at a local shop. i should have done it this way, but i took the whole starter out. took me nearly 1.5 hours just to get it out. putting it back in was quick, maybe 15 minutes

 

[bak3rme]

im going to have to do this soon, every time i get in my car its a 50/50 chance ill be sitting there cranking 5-10 times b4 it turns on

im going to the dealership tomroo and see if they have any. do they have to order it?

did you have to turn the wheel to get more workign space? i dont really see how you can work with the wheel stright, its soo tight

and also last, what tools should i have ready so i can do this? dont want to be stuck at home without a working car bymyself and find out i missing tools



***EDIT*** , went to the dealership and asked if they had contacts in stock, they said not atm, however they were $15 bucks...kinda pricy compared to your $5 a contact.... so im guessing if it was $15 a contact, then thats $30 bucks for both? common now... how about autozone? they got contacts? and are they all universal?

 

[bak3rme]

bump ...anyone? i need to do this asap.

 

[notrayray]

Part numbers are
-Starter solenoid rebuild parts-
28235-54380 Plunger magnet switch
28226-54340 Kit starter repair
28226-72010 Starter kit

from here.....:hatsoff:
3rd Gen 4Runner FAQ

 

[Glockwarrior]

im going to have to do this soon, every time i get in my car its a 50/50 chance ill be sitting there cranking 5-10 times b4 it turns on

im going to the dealership tomroo and see if they have any. do they have to order it?

did you have to turn the wheel to get more workign space? i dont really see how you can work with the wheel stright, its soo tight

and also last, what tools should i have ready so i can do this? dont want to be stuck at home without a working car bymyself and find out i missing tools



***EDIT*** , went to the dealership and asked if they had contacts in stock, they said not atm, however they were $15 bucks...kinda pricy compared to your $5 a contact.... so im guessing if it was $15 a contact, then thats $30 bucks for both? common now... how about autozone? they got contacts? and are they all universal?

I am sure it is $15 for both..I would double check. Is there not another Dealership near you? I would take the front wheel off just to make sure you give yourself enough room..then read some of the previous post on some of the tools you will need...Good Luck!

 

[bak3rme]

I am sure it is $15 for both..I would double check. Is there not another Dealership near you? I would take the front wheel off just to make sure you give yourself enough room..then read some of the previous post on some of the tools you will need...Good Luck!

thanks glock, after i finish studying this calculus, im heading out to the junkyard to find me a rear hitch, then stopping by the dealership to get the parts.

ill look for the list of tools, but i got a question...does cleaning the parts out do anything? because if it does, i thinkin about takign out the whole starter to clean it..but do you think its worth it? all taht time to have a clean starter?

 

[Glockwarrior]

thanks glock, after i finish studying this calculus, im heading out to the junkyard to find me a rear hitch, then stopping by the dealership to get the parts.

ill look for the list of tools, but i got a question...does cleaning the parts out do anything? because if it does, i thinkin about takign out the whole starter to clean it..but do you think its worth it? all taht time to have a clean starter?

Well Jason B kept his in and yes it is easier than taking it completly out...I just wiped mine off and cleaned inside the contact area..its just whatever your comfortable with doing

 

[bak3rme]

well i went to another toyota dealer, they had contacts in stock, however i need to find out my starter type or number...the guy said there are "cold" starters or something like that. which are a little bigger or smaller than what mine could be...

gunna check soon though...if you leave this too long, what else can happen? im getting worried its goign to break something, because now its actually cranking at times and clicking other times...

 

[bak3rme]

alright so i finally did this! i was happy and everything turned out good. my car starts first try every time so far now. but it was 29 bucks for both contacts! cant complain but some of u guys got for cheaper. the write up was simple. hard part was just removing the two bolts that old the starter onto engine. luckily mine were not extremly tight. however when i removed the bolts, the starter literally fell onto the ground lol. i read somewhere it was a pain to get out. but i had no problem. took it apart and replaced contacts. did a little cleaning up on the inside..took be like 3-4 hours. but if i were to do it again probally would take me 2 hours..

this website helps alot! b4...i didnt even know where my starter was located on my car.

 

[dgoll75]

Man way to go. This problem just began in my 97. Got the starter apart and the contacts out, just got to hope my dealer has them tomorrow. Dont want to replace the whole starter... fingers crossed. Update. No need for the dealer. Found a local auto electric shop that had the parts. $20 for both! Back in the truck in 1 hour and cranked right up. Thanks again for the pics.

 

[etc.]

Why a 1/2 drive rachet? Seems kinda large for the job.

 

[dgoll75]

I used 3/8 drive tools and worked fine for me. Lots of extensions in different sizes and a swivel ratchet. Mines a 2wd so no mud or rust build up. Only reason i can think for the larger drive tools.