Hello, I am a new member with a 2003 V8 4runner. I am about to pull my hair out with my Toyota. Just recently had the A/C compressor replaced by a "air conditioner expert repair shop". Everything is great with the air, but the evening my dad picked up from the air conditioning shop the car kept dying on him when he let off the gas to bring it home. In 10 years I have never had this happen. The answer we got was that the computer was trying to reset after the compressor was replaced and it would work itself out. Months later I no longer have the problem with it dying while driving(thank goodness). The problem now is sometimes it just will not start. No clicking sound or any sound when turn key. Wait a little while, turn the key a few times and it usually turns over and is fine to drive. But yesterday I went to leave work and of course no turn over, kept trying off and on and for the last 2 days and it seems officially dead-will not start. My dad/uncle has had the battery cables checked, bought new battery, checked for corrosion, etc. and doesn't seem the problem. Also when I turn the key to start the radio, etc. works fine so I think that elimates battery issue. Where we are confused is there was never any clicking sound or any sounds when I tried to start. Call Toyota dealer and they said 99% sure was bad starter $1000+- since a V8 model is hard to get to starter. I have searched this forum and I am overwhelmed with possible issues. Also take it easy on my I am a single mom and not a mechanic. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I just hate to spend $1000+- and find out later was a $10 part.
Starter Problem
- Thread starter CARTER
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WXman
New member
Yeah apparently the starter on these is on the top rear of the engine buried under the intake. You have to take the top of the engine apart to get to it apparently. It would be a pain in the arse. Another retarded Toyota engineering idea.
If it does end up being the starter, DO NOT buy from the stealership. They will always rape you on parts. It's unreal how much they mark stuff up sometimes...especially when a woman walks in needing help. Bastards...
Anyway, since this obviously started immediately after the A/C job...then there's a 99% chance that the mechanic at the A/C shop cut a wire, crimped a wire, damaged a sensor, left something loose, or something along those lines. It's a big job to install a new compressor and recharge the system and a lot of the stuff under the hood had to come apart. Very possible they screwed something up in the process of putting it back together. I would go back to them and ask for help since they know the steps they took to do that repair and they could recheck everything.
If they won't help you, find a reputable mechanic locally to look at it for you. I've never used Angie's List but maybe that would help you search online for a good mechanic who is fair and does good work.
If it does end up being the starter, DO NOT buy from the stealership. They will always rape you on parts. It's unreal how much they mark stuff up sometimes...especially when a woman walks in needing help. Bastards...
Anyway, since this obviously started immediately after the A/C job...then there's a 99% chance that the mechanic at the A/C shop cut a wire, crimped a wire, damaged a sensor, left something loose, or something along those lines. It's a big job to install a new compressor and recharge the system and a lot of the stuff under the hood had to come apart. Very possible they screwed something up in the process of putting it back together. I would go back to them and ask for help since they know the steps they took to do that repair and they could recheck everything.
If they won't help you, find a reputable mechanic locally to look at it for you. I've never used Angie's List but maybe that would help you search online for a good mechanic who is fair and does good work.
88mustanggt
New member
they should charge you 120-160 for the starter its 3.9 hour job, so 4x90-110 an hour is about 400 bucks intake gasket set another 40 bucks. so around $600
as far as the starter being under the intake, its not that bad of idea, the exhaust isn't cooking it every day....
as far as the starter being under the intake, its not that bad of idea, the exhaust isn't cooking it every day....
BlackWorksInc
New member
It is unlikely the replacement of the A/C Compressor upset anything near the Starter. The A/C compressor is located on the driver's bottom of the motor and very little is needed to be removed from the top of the motor (the battery cable is really the only thing I can thing of other than the HVAC ports to recharge the system which are on the passenger side of the engine bay.) If you look at the steps required for replacement of the timing belt you'll see how to remove the A/C compressor as it is required for that service.
Toyota has had this odd habit of shoving the starters on their V8's in the engine block valley (I have never figured out what the benefit to doing it this way is...) as far back as the 1UZ-FE (4.0L LS400 motor) to the 3UR-FE (5.7L Tundra/Sequoia Motor.) Unfortunately its not as simple as popping off the upper plenumn and replacing it as they often run the fuel rail over the starter which means the lower plenumn needs to come off as well; 4hrs sounds about right for the job.
Due to the nature of the ignition switch on this vehicle I would see if you can find a shop that knows what they are doing and have them diagnose the system to verify it is indeed the starter motor; it will most likely be about $100 or so, but I think that's a worthwhile investment to find out if it is in fact the starter (which would be around $600-700 to replace as was pointed out earlier) vs. an ignition switch or something else.
Toyota has had this odd habit of shoving the starters on their V8's in the engine block valley (I have never figured out what the benefit to doing it this way is...) as far back as the 1UZ-FE (4.0L LS400 motor) to the 3UR-FE (5.7L Tundra/Sequoia Motor.) Unfortunately its not as simple as popping off the upper plenumn and replacing it as they often run the fuel rail over the starter which means the lower plenumn needs to come off as well; 4hrs sounds about right for the job.
Due to the nature of the ignition switch on this vehicle I would see if you can find a shop that knows what they are doing and have them diagnose the system to verify it is indeed the starter motor; it will most likely be about $100 or so, but I think that's a worthwhile investment to find out if it is in fact the starter (which would be around $600-700 to replace as was pointed out earlier) vs. an ignition switch or something else.
