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

[Hollis]

This is another thread on replacing the starter contacts - the instructions are a bit more clear...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63228-another-starter-contacts-removal-thread.html

This was actually the one that I was looking for! Too bad I just saw it.:mmph:

I did it. 4.5 hours with a 30 minute break and a couple of phone calls.
I did not remove the exhaust bracket, just the 2 brake brackets and tranny dipstick bracket.

I can tell a huge difference in key to turn over time!

Thanks again Forum!

 

[rayjay]

Doing this tom, wish me luck.

 

[S Brake]

Any tricks to getting a 4Runner started once the contacts have gone? It's sitting in a parking lot on campus, can't really change the contacts where it's at.

 

[Hollis]

Any tricks to getting a 4Runner started once the contacts have gone? It's sitting in a parking lot on campus, can't really change the contacts where it's at.

I am guessing you have tried cycling the key off and on multiple times.

 

[S Brake]

I am guessing you have tried cycling the key off and on multiple times.

Yup, that used to work but no luck anymore.

 

[Hollis]

Yup, that used to work but no luck anymore.

I would suggest grabbing some tools (3/8 Ratchet w/ several extensionsand a swivel), a piece of cardboard, some rags and set aside 4.5 hours if it is a 4wd, less if it is a 2wd, and knock it out in the parking lot.
If it is not too far away you could have someone tow ya home.

 

[S Brake]

Towed the Runner home, just waiting for the parts to get here.

 

[Desert36]

Wish I saw this post sooner...... Bought my 4runner yesterday, had this happen to me today.... Got it fixed with some sandpaper rebuild.... But I got it fired up at first by using a pipe and tapping on the starter to wiggle the contact point so I could start it up and get it on the lift.

 

[ICD]

Thanks for the links, I'm ordering my LBJ and t belt will be including these contact to th cart.

 

[S Brake]

I can say without a doubt that this was the hardest thing I've ever done on a car. I've done everything from oil changes to brakes and axle replacement. Took me about six hours due to rusted bolts and snapped wires. Next time it goes bad I'm paying someone to do it.

 

[rayjay]

Actually it really wasn't that hard if you ask me. I ended up pulling the starter out. I have an SR5 5spd 4wd and I squeeked it out the bottom so I could work on it. Prob a 3hr job total if I don't count beer stops and dancing to music and messing around... lol

The wife is super happy now, surprised she didn't get stuck somewhere. The contact was practically gone.

 

[S Brake]

Well, the wires I soldered broke apart again so I'm just going to replace the whole thing. Found a remanufactured starter for $80.

 

[604_runner]

did this yesterday in about 4 hours. didnt realize how heavy the starter was, had a hard time contorting my arm and moving it around to get it out of the tight spot.

definitely helps to have a couple 6in. extensions and 1/2 drive ratchet to get the exhaust bolts and mounting bolts out!

 

[Brad.O]

Being my first post I would like to thank all of you guys who have posted all these great tips, pics and details. My girlfriends 4runner had the "klunk" at start as many have described and after my research I found this and the other thread and this appears to be the problem.

I replaced only the lower contact as the other did not have a groove dug into it. I only removed the one terminal and replaced it just as it came out.

After putting it all back together, i reconnected the battery and a few seconds later WHAM! Smoke sparks and arcs, I disconnected the ground and saw that the pos terminal blew off.

Did I miss an insulator? Did it ground into the starter and fry the terminal? I had inspected it prior to all of this and did not see any obvious damage. Do I need to pull the whole starter apart again? Or just get a new battery terminal and try again?
No extra parts were left over, and I only had one round insulator with a tab coming off of it, on the contact that I replaced. Please any help would be appreciated, i only have tomorrow until im back on duty and cant work on it again until next week.

Edited to add: I used the Victory Lap ND-34SOL Solenoid Repair Kit off of Amazon, it did not come with any insulators or anything else. I also used the new plunger.

 

[Brad.O]

Got it fixed! The square insulator fell out and landed on top of the suspension arm. I pulled the skid plate and pulled the starter completely out the bottom. MUCH easier than trying to work on it inside the truck. Thanks guys!

 

[hrt4me]

Got it fixed! The square insulator fell out and landed on top of the suspension arm. I pulled the skid plate and pulled the starter completely out the bottom. MUCH easier than trying to work on it inside the truck. Thanks guys!

got any other tips before I tackle my own starter repair this week?

 

[seabun]

Bump. And apologies if this is redundant, but I am having to do this asap as my 99 is now a very large piece of lawn art. Anyway my basic question is if it is worth it to replace all of the hardware along with the contacts? To be safe I am going to do the contacts and the plunger, but yay/nay on the hardware (bolt, insulators, washer nut etc.) is a $25ish difference and right now money is tight!

I found a contacts+plunger kit on amazon for $11, or I could order all the toyota oem parts for around $37.

My gut is telling me if I am going through the trouble to get the thing out of there I might as well replace it all but idk...suggestions?

 

[St0neWhite]

IMHO...
If ur trying to save money:.... U might as well save and do the $11 part fix. There are several good links in here on how to do it.

If you want to save future time of having to replace the whole thing, later:... go ahead and replace the whole thing now.

Mine went out in the hottest part of the summer... So there I was in late afternoon/evening sweating balls in dress close swapping it out in the parking lot of a facility I was overseeing. Many curse words were said That thing is like a Chinese puzzle getting it out of there !!!

If I'm not mistaken there are 1or 2 brake lines to disconnect and I disconnected one side and ever so carefully bent them out of the way just enough to wiggle that thing out (note: not advised and do at ur own risk)

After all that work I was happy to install a whole new one because it was such a pain ! But... I did have terrible circumstances associated w mine......

"Patience" and "thinking around the box" - will make this job enjoyable and give u a sense of great accomplishment

Good luck to u


And yes I said "around the box" cause that starter is in side the proverbial box ...

 

[TheDurk]

Bump. And apologies if this is redundant, but I am having to do this asap as my 99 is now a very large piece of lawn art. Anyway my basic question is if it is worth it to replace all of the hardware along with the contacts? To be safe I am going to do the contacts and the plunger, but yay/nay on the hardware (bolt, insulators, washer nut etc.) is a $25ish difference and right now money is tight!

I found a contacts+plunger kit on amazon for $11, or I could order all the toyota oem parts for around $37.

My gut is telling me if I am going through the trouble to get the thing out of there I might as well replace it all but idk...suggestions?

At 165k, I installed the Amazon kit (2 contacts + plunger) as PM while recently doing my clutch. Really, only one of the two contacts was seriously worn. From all reports, this is typical. I saw nothing in the other parts that made me nervous and I had plenty of time to go get them if they had. Save your $26.

 

[Mindomission]

When I bought my 4Runner in August the starter contacts were worn out. I had read a thread similar to this and knew that it was going to be a tough job. So I went ahead and bought the contacts and the plunger and replaced them all at once! I knew that I didn't want to get in there again for a long time!! I got it all at the dealership for $79, I think.