Having issues with my starter

I posted about this about this in the other areas of the forums but not getting much luck. I was curious if any of you guys have had any experience with taking the starter out and possibly cleaning it out. I'm having issues with the truck randomly starting. When it doesn't it just clicks. I'm thinking there's mud in there and it might causing issues and just needs a good cleaning.

When I took it in for routine maintenance the dealership wanted about 1300 to order and swap it out. I'm not doing that if it's necessary. I've watched vids about how to get to it but not much luck on actually taking it out. I've got the service manual going back to the earliest year in the generation. But it's a bit daunting for a first time on this, at least for me.

Any help is appreciated.

 

Not covered under warranty?

 

A click noise is almost always a bad solenoid.

 

I've pulled one out before, it sucks a little...have to go in from the driver side tire near the exhaust header.

You have a 2013 so it should be covered under warranty.

Could also try and check the voltage on the starter wire. I had a bad wire in my car, when I was thinking it was the starter.

 

Yea.. A 13 should be under warranty.... i had to change my starter on my 99 a while ago. Bought the new starter and brought it into a shop and had them change it for a couple bills....

 

I had a clicks starter on my 2006 tacoma for a while. Just before I was going to replace it, it stopped clicking, and started working. I'm still running it today. It was clicking a couple times then working. You can replace the contacts in the starter apparently.

 

I'll check the solenoid. They said the warranty won't cover it because it's muddy. Kind of a copout.

 

that is a pretty bad copout. could get some break cleaner or electrical plug cleaner and shoot the mud off and see if that helps. maybe the contact is dirty.

 

Warranty won't cover it cause it's muddy? That's total BS!

 

Yup, BS on the mud, take it to a manual car wash and clean the phucker real good, then take it back in for the warranty work...

Dirt gets all over cars and trucks after a couple of rain/snowstorms, they are copping out big time on this one, so get them back with a clean shiny starter next time...

 

I thought it was a BS reason too.

Now it makes an odd noise that I can't describe when I turn the ignition off. Almost to a point of bubbling. So I'm starting to think that the starter is flooded. Is that possible. It sucks not having the experience for this. If only it was a damn computer, this would be easier. lol

 

Can you post a video of the sound?

 

hmmmm, you own a 4x4, but because there is mud on it, they wont cover it. f that, clean it off and if it still doesnt work, go to a different dealer so you dont have to deal with their BS

 

How many dealers in HI? Probably not too many choices, big ass island in middle of big ass ocean, they have a special hold on your hanging marbles...

 

yeah, didnt notice that lol

 

Here's an audio clip.

 

I only have a couple to work with on Oahu.

 

just a single click? i'm pretty sure the contact isn't getting the voltage needed.

 

It's random. If I hold it it will go 100%. But if I try to do it normally it's random. It will work 3 times straight but sometimes it will take about a few tries.

 

I got a 5lb sledge hammer that might help.