Should I replace the starter plunger?!

[airmax233]

Hey guys my 00 4Runner won't crank so I decided to remove the starter once opened I found out that the contacts seem okay, but not the plunger. Should I bite the bullet and buy a new stater or buy a new plunger from the stealer ship?

 

[TheDurk]

Hey guys my 00 4Runner won't crank so I decided to remove the starter once opened I found out that the contacts seem okay, but not the plunger. Should I bite the bullet and buy a new stater or buy a new plunger from the stealer ship?

If it's a factory original starter, get a new plunger. It will outlast any reman you you are likely to buy as a substitute. A puppy dies everytime somebody core trades a factory Denso on a crap new reman starter.

 

[RAD4Runner]

...Get a new plunger. ....

Second that^^^ or if you have time on your hands, and the ring is not too worn out, try cleaning it to bare, shiny metal and re-assembling.

Also note:
Check Toyota Parts Deal before you go to the dealer. Great pricing on OEM. I bought my reman with toyota warranty there. IF buying whole starter, store will take only OEM starter as core returns.

BTW, guys, have you verified that the starter relays on the the 3rd-gens are present AND wired correctly? First-gens and some second-gens are either wired wrong or do not have starter relays (here).

 

[airmax233]

Update:
So I called my local dealer and avioulsy they don't carry the plunger for the starter so I ordered it through them. It will cost me 40 dollars and my arm lol
I will pick it first thing in the morning. Fingers crossed this will solve my issue.

 

[liquidnails]

Hey guys my 00 4Runner won't crank so I decided to remove the starter once opened I found out that the contacts seem okay, but not the plunger. Should I bite the bullet and buy a new stater or buy a new plunger from the stealer ship?

You should replace the contacts too while you're in there. One of them looks pretty worn. Once it goes you'll right back where you are now.

 

[airmax233]

Update 8/4/17

TOYOTA Dealer
Plunger $45
Starter contacts $32

Time to assemble and put back on truck 25min

Onece I was done connecting the battery it would not click or turn. The lights on the dash where very low and when I turned the key they would go away. So I jumped started the 4runner and I let it run for about 10 min before turning it off. Now it turns on and off without a problem.

 

[nobb]

If youre in there might as well replace the plunger and contacts. I cleaned (sanded down) and reused my plunger because it was still in decent shape. If there's a deep groove then I would just get a new one. You can also get new plungers off eBay for these Denso starters.

For the contacts, I like the Dorman rebuilt kit because it comes with oversized contacts which should last much longer.

These are simple components, no need to spend $$$ for the dealer part.

 

[seabun]

Hopefully that is the end of your troubles; I had to rebuild my starter a couple years ago also. Having your truck refuse to turn over is frustrating!

Fyi for future ref, unless you are dead set on oem always, the kit I used was the "Victory Lap ND-36SOL" and was only $12 on amazon. Came with plunger and oversized contacts, which was nice.

 

[Jason B]

1997 limited, Starter started clicking 10 years ago, took apart replaced the two contacts only. Now last week, another 10 years, clicking again. Took apart, replaced two same contacts. Still on original plunger. I don't think the plunger is ever the issue, and couldn't get one locally when I was installing, just the contacts and works like a charm again.