Wtf ??

[Mellemel]

Last night got in trusty ole' 4Rnr and turn the key to hear a "click" !!
click click click, she would not start. Thinking the battery was dying left it on charge all night, same click this morning. So to cut a long story short, it was either the cleaning of the battery poles and /or the banging on the starter solenoid, whichever one, it worked.
So initially thinking the starter had gone south on me after 377,000km's/234,000 miles I priced one at NAPA. I know there are repair kits and the connectors that wear out are available and some posts on here say it is an "easy" fix, but they must be the most inaccessible part on these trucks ! Looks like a Royal PITA job to me !!
Has anyone replaced their starter with a NAPA brand and if so what are they like ?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Go to the nearest dealer and get some new contacts. Replace them while the starter is still in the truck.

 

[TheDurk]

Go to the nearest dealer and get some new contacts. Replace them while the starter is still in the truck.

What he said.

Seriously, a puppy dies every time some bonehead core trades a bulletproof factory Denso starter that just needs new contacts for an autoparts store reman that will die within 25k.

Here's your DIY:

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

 

[turbo8]

Make sure all the chassis grounds are clean too.

 

[7echo]

I have been looking for a decent starter at the salvage yard. I will replace the contacts and be ready when mine starts acting up.

I read on a thread here(i think) that the starter is more easily removed if you drop the sway bar. There are a few different threads that vary between the job being the worst thing ever to not too bad.

 

[MandAtaco]

Its a pain to get out for sure, I think I finally got mine out through the passenger side wheel well. I had to tweak the brake line out of the way just a hair.

It's probably just the contacts. I rebuilt mine with a kit from amazon, it was under 20 bucks I think. Has worked great since. As stated before, try to save that good Denso starter!

 

[diverscale]

What he said.

Seriously, a puppy dies every time some bonehead core trades a bulletproof factory Denso starter that just needs new contacts for an autoparts store reman that will die within 25k.

Here's your DIY:

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

Nice write-up, but pictures don'T show up for me, is that for everyone else?

 

[Volumetrik]

Nice write-up, but pictures don'T show up for me, is that for everyone else?

They don't show for me either !

 

[TheDurk]

Nice write-up, but pictures don'T show up for me, is that for everyone else?

OOPS. Another good DIY bites the dust...

Here's one with pics but it's for doing it on the bench:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/12746-Denso-starter-contact-replacement

Full disclosure: I did mine on the bench but I did it the hard way. First I removed the bell housing, trans, both driveshafts and the T/C. (I was doing a clutch and did the starter contacts as PM. At 120k, they were about 75% done.)

 

[Mellemel]

Thanks for all the posts here, I would like to tackle the contact replacement fix, but I think this time it was just the battery contacts that were the culprit.
Keeping a close eye and ear on the situation.
Battling a carpal tunnel problem right now too, making it difficult to tackle any fixing jobs !

 

[theizzardking]

OOPS. Another good DIY bites the dust...

Here's one with pics but it's for doing it on the bench:

Denso starter contact replacement. - Expedition Portal

Full disclosure: I did mine on the bench but I did it the hard way. First I removed the bell housing, trans, both driveshafts and the T/C. (I was doing a clutch and did the starter contacts as PM. At 120k, they were about 75% done.)

i managed to completely remove mine as per the contact replacement thread, believe i just popped the sway bar on that side and you could get the thing orientated vertically and it drops right out next to the control arm.

found it easier to do than than try to do it in the truck.

Think brain or one of the guys mentions that in one of their writeups and it worked for me.

 

[TheDurk]

i managed to completely remove mine as per the contact replacement thread, believe i just popped the sway bar on that side and you could get the thing orientated vertically and it drops right out next to the control arm.

found it easier to do than than try to do it in the truck.

Think brain or one of the guys mentions that in one of their writeups and it worked for me.

Yeah, everybody thinks their way is the best. Welcome to the internet As I said, I really can have no position on that.

 

[02SE]

I replaced my starter solenoid contacts with a kit From Victory Lap. It had an assortment of contacts, and a new plunger. It was around $18.00 at a local auto parts store, 5 years ago.

I see those kits are available on Amazon, for about the same price.

I took the starter out of the truck to swap the contacts.

 

[Mellemel]

Why do these things happen when the temps drop below zero and I have no garage !!! Been driving around today stopping and starting all day with zero issues. Pretty sure it was battery contacts, on checking one was a bit loose with some corrosion. Cleaned and re-tightened and she fired right up. If it behaves for the winter then it will be a next spring job to do the contacts.
Next week is valve cover gaskets replacement time. Getting my local garage to do it.
Thanks for the links with pics that open !