starter contacts

[slicknick]

i'm having a problem starting my '96, i thought it was the battery to begin with cuz it seemed pretty old. i changed that and at first it seemed to fix the problem, but it came back. someone responeded to my last post saying i need to change the starter contacts and that it is very difficult to change the actual starter, how do i go about changing the contacts. can anyone help??

--nick

 

[swain]

i had the same problem with my 96 limited.. me and my bro unhooked the starter and just sanded the contacts and have had no problem since......

 

[slicknick]

yeah i tried sanding the contacts and this morning when i went to start the car it still had problems. is it time to change the starter?

 

[swain]

the toyota dealer ship told me something about toyota making a really good starter and the guy said he was 95% sure it was probly just the contacts themselves, but i couldnt be sure what to do in your case. as i said i just sanded my contacts and i have had no problem with it yet....

 

[slicknick]

no worries. i just went to the local dealer.... pretty much all i have left to do is have the starter changed. and it was a pain just getting to the contacts and sanding them, i dont think i want to go through trying to get it out. im gonna have them do it... ugh

 

[scheme56]

sounds like the starter contact have worn out. maybe not recommended but an easy way to test if the starter contacts are worn is: when your car doesn't start and you only get the 'click' sound from the solenoid, try giving the starter housing a couple of hard knocks while trying to start the car. if it starts up, it's most likely worn contacts.

i haven't changed the starter on my 4runner so i couldn't tell you exactly but i did replace the starter contacts in my V6 '94 4wd toy p'up and it's was very easy replacing the parts in the starter, itself, but i had a difficult time putting back the starter b/c not much working room in the engine bay but i'd say it was well worth spending a couple of hours and $20 on a starter rebuild/repair kit than buying an OEM starter for $220+. if you have the time, tools and are mechanically inclined, i'd say do it yourself. if you want more DIY info, i'm sure there's write-ups here, on other forums and if you just google it. gl.

 

[Her4Runner]

Starter contacts are cake to change once you get te starter out... Just did this on my 2000 & had no probs whatsoever. Requires a little finagling to get the starter in & out, but other than that, its only 2 boltsholding the starter in once you remove the inner fender flap for access.

There's a good write-up (w/ pics) on here somewhere if you do a search. It should alleviate any anxiety about doing the job yourself.

HTH,
Her4Runner

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Ya - this is a pretty easy fix. You can do it in an hour if you hurry, but it shouldn't take more than two hours if you take your sweet time and do it carefully (and have a couple of beers in the process).

I just did mine last weekend. Made all the difference. I got my contacts from a guy online who sells them. I got the A and B contact for around $10. You don't really need all the other stuff in the Toyota kits. I think you'll have to search yotatech for him.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

Ok I did it for you - the guy selling the contacts is 4Crawler:

Inexpensive Contacts

Here's a couple other links on his site that might help you:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#EasyTest
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#Fix

 

[Ron Helmuth]

thanks for the links

flyfisher thanks for the links

I have been putting this off and time to get it done.

 

[CO_FlyFisher]

No problem. Once I realized mine was having trouble, I bought the contacts. I kept them in the glove box just in case, but after waiting almost 3 months, I finally got off my butt and replaced them.

 

[TopRunner]

I am having a starting prob but not sure if it is the same deal. Some times when I turn the key, I don't get anything, no click or nuthin.

I never had this problem until I shiped the truck to England.

One auto electican mentioned there could be a sensor in the trans and if it wasn't fully in P it might not start. I am leaning away from this theary because you can start it in N ueatral too.

Any suggestions?

 

[jeremy 4runner]

I had the same problem with my 96 a few years ago. I had a starter repair shop put new contacts inside and clean everything inside. Then the following year my friends 99 4runner did the same thing and he had the contacts replaced. I think its a common problem but at least it doesn't cost much to fix. One thing that is nice if you have yours contacts replace at least you know how the starter has been treated over the years.

 

[slicknick]

yeah... the dealer got me. almost $400 but it works fine now. thanks for all your tips.

---slicknick