Which starter would you buy?

[gmcmanus663]

I'm in need of some of your opinions. My 4runner, a 2002 4wd, needs a new starter. It's been broken for the past few weeks, but since I am living on campus in school right now I have been okay without it. However I am going to have to drive home, 900 miles, in a little less than three weeks so I have to buy a starter and install it.

Since it's also cyber Monday today I think it's the best time to buy one because a lot of places have great deals right now. I'm torn though. I try and always buy OEM parts because they are the best quality in my opinion and I know I will get many more miles out of them. I checked 1st Toyota Parts (Titus Will Toyota Parts) and they had a denso unit that was re-manufactured. I found this same remanned unit on Rock Auto and Advance Auto Parts, and I can get it cheaper from both with the deals today. My question is this, should I go with the re-manufactured Denso unit or go for one of the new units that isn't the OEM brand. I'm leaning towards the Denso because I trust the brand and they also have a pretty good price too.

Here is the link for RockAuto that shows the different starters that I am talking about: http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,2002,4runner,3.4l+v6,1388707,electrical,starter+motor,4152

Thanks Again for your opinions and advice!

 

[phattyduck]

If you still have the OEM starter, whatever you do, don't return it as a core. All you really need is new contacts and you are probably back in business. Since you are on a time limit, get the cheapest starter you can and install it. Fix the old one, and put it back, then keep the cheap starter as a 'trail spare'

-Charlie

 

[MattJakobs]

+1 on the rebuild. It's really easy to do and cheaper than buying a new one. Here are the parts needed.

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[octanejunkie]

Most guys will just get the rebuild kit and fix the OEM starter rather than replace the starter itself with an inferior aftermarket starter.

 

[Chuckles89]

I would either buy the parts to fix yours or get the Denso reman one

 

[RAD4Runner]

I would strongly recommend that you verify that it is indeed the starter thay is causing your problem.

Then, + for inspecting and possibly replacing solenoid contacts, IF you can afford the downtime.

Next option would be remanufactured OEM starter with Toyota warranty. I got one for my first-gen from Toyota Parts Deal. Excellent Price.

Remember: If you buy reman OEM, store will only take OEM starter for core refund.

 

[thecole1098]

Agreed on either rebuilding OEM or getting a Denso unit. Not a job you want to do twice

 

[HiLife]

Consensus says rebuild your old starter if the contacts are the culprit and I agree. OP says that he lives on campus so, he may have a difficult time in wrenching on the starter in the campus parking lot.
OP, try to find a place and tools to r&r the starter and check the starter contacts, this would be the most cost effective way.
If you are not able to do the r&r, I agree with the other posts and just get and install another cheap starter and rebuild your old starter and keep it as a spare.

DO NOT return your starter back as core.

If all those above isn't to your liking then, you are right on :thumb3: in your research in getting a Denso new or rebuilt unit and installing that yourself or at a shop.

 

[amalik]

Just do the contacts. [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] even has a video on them to make your life easy.

 

[SaulG]

Disconnect Battery !
Do contacts "in frame" no reason to pull starter. Get cold weather contact and plunger,90% of the time the neg contact is fine.

 

[gmcmanus663]

Wow thanks for all the quick and useful replies. As one of you mentioned was a good idea, I think I am going to buy the re-manufactured denso unit and throw that in. I can get it cheap enough that I won't regret it and it is a brand I've had good experiences. Although I do have plenty and I mean plenty of tools at school with me, I think it's best to just put in a new one and be quick about it especially since I am on a time crunch with the end of the semester closing in the next two and a half weeks. I will absolutely keep my old starter and rebuild it over my winter break and keep it with me if I ever have troubles again.

It depends how quick I can get those contacts though, because if I can get them from my local dealer for a good deal I'll try that first. Time is key though as I mentioned earlier.

Again thanks for the awesome advice you guys, this forum has always proved to be so useful to me and its the people on here that are the reason :thumb3:

 

[nissanh]

If you were in my class I'd give you an A+ as you are working on a 3rd gen 4runner!

 

[KojiKP]

I’m another vote to rebuild your starter. Not too bad of a job, I had to do mine days after I bought my 4Runner about a year ago


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[19963.4lsr5]

Get the Victor kit from Amazon if a local autoparts store can't help you.


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[SilvFx]

I replaced the starter in my daughter's '99 4Runner with the Denso reman unit from Rockauto in a dirt parking lot while she was attending CU Boulder. The Denso reman unit is in fact remanufactured by Denso (who made it originally) and looks identical and comes in a Denso branded box.

That was 3 or 4 years ago and no problems since. For $82 dollars after you return the core, that's a good deal and you are ensured the rest of the starter has been inspected and meets specs.

Given that you have 3 weeks of school left, limited time and places to get the repair done, its a no brainer to buy the reman unit.

I also agree with the advice above about making sure the starter is the issue before going this route. What symptoms were you experiencing that makes you come to the conclusion the starter is bad?

 

[SilvFx]

I replaced the starter in my daughter's '99 4Runner with the Denso reman unit from Rockauto in a dirt parking lot while she was attending CU Boulder. The Denso reman unit is in fact remanufactured by Denso (who made it originally) and looks identical and comes in a Denso branded box.

That was 3 or 4 years ago and no problems since. For $82 dollars after you return the core, that's a good deal and you are ensured the rest of the starter has been inspected and meets specs.

Given that you have 3 weeks of school left, limited time and places to get the repair done, its a no brainer to buy the reman unit.

I also agree with the advice above about making sure the starter is the issue before going this route. What symptoms were you experiencing that makes you come to the conclusion the starter is bad?

 

[gmcmanus663]

I replaced the starter in my daughter's '99 4Runner with the Denso reman unit from Rockauto in a dirt parking lot while she was attending CU Boulder. The Denso reman unit is in fact remanufactured by Denso (who made it originally) and looks identical and comes in a Denso branded box.

That was 3 or 4 years ago and no problems since. For $82 dollars after you return the core, that's a good deal and you are ensured the rest of the starter has been inspected and meets specs.

Given that you have 3 weeks of school left, limited time and places to get the repair done, its a no brainer to buy the reman unit.

I also agree with the advice above about making sure the starter is the issue before going this route. What symptoms were you experiencing that makes you come to the conclusion the starter is bad?

Well ever since I got my third gen almost two years ago the starter has been kinda tricky. It seems like it was always worse after it rained, but sometimes it would just click. I assume this click was the gear extending, but clearly the starter was not spinning. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and all it did was click. The click is definitely coming from the starter, and I plan on testing mine when I do get it out.

For anyone that doesn't know a good way to get the starter out, check out [MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] on his youtube channel. It's the absolute best channel on there especially for our trucks. Here's a link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV1t5-wcoOI

 

[Bruceinhealy]

I agree...don't go with the cheap remans. You will regret it. Speaking from experience