Replacing starter on gen 2 2.7 2wd?

Seems it's time to replace the starter on my 2012. I found a good tutorial on gen 1 starter replacement. Is there anything different on the gen 2 that I should take into account?

Dom

 

Seems fast for a starter to go out. Usually it's pretty simple I haven't done it on a taco though. Disconnect battery, disconnect connections from starter, remove bolts holding starter to transmission, remove starter

 

It is super simple. I had a 97 2.7 and the contacts in the starter wore out. If you want to remedy that swing by your local John Deere dealer and get a set of contacts for a JD 870. They are twice the size and fit the Toyota starter perfect. They cost around $10 and should last forever.

 

Unlikely starter is the problem. Mines got 320k miles on it. No issues. Check your battery and connections

 

You could get your starter tested before you buy a new one. Still have to pull it for that though

 

I pulled the starter and got it tested at advanced auto and a starter/alternator rebuild place. It passed all tests and both places. I bolted it back up and cleaned all the connections and sprayed with contact cleaner.

The problem of the clicking start was always intermittent so I'm wondering what I should be looking at now. Battery is good, bought it new last year and checked it with the volt meter yesterday. Starter checked out good today. Along with the click and no start I get the occasional weak struggling start. Any ideas of what I should check next? Truck has 77k on it. Should. I be thinking of changing the plugs to help the weak start? I belive they are currently iridium but the guy at the parts shop wasn't sure.

 

When you say intermittent, how often are we talking?

 

Not every start, maybe 50 percent of the time. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all for a few days. Then sometimes it will happen a few times in a single day. It's my wife's daily driver so I don't get to hear it much.

 

Sounds like a bad connection somewhere. Make sure all the wires are tight and check the grounds. Maybe the wires are corroded somewhere inbetween

 

What about the chip in the key? Change keys and see if problem remains.

 

A voltmeter can't accurately diagnose a battery. It can show 12.6 volts even with a bad cell. You need to get the battery load tested. Any parts store can do it for free. Best of luck chasing down the issue.

 

Immobilizer chip is only with the V6 engine. OP has a Tacoma with 2.7L 4-cyl engine.

 

Factory plugs are iridium. Only replace with similar NGK or Denso. Highly doubtful sparkplugs are the issue. Youtube clicking on start issues.

 

I am sure my 2.7L has a chip in the key. I can not start the truck with a spare door key. Maybe unique to Canada?

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/13/immobilizers-to-be-made-mandatory-in-canada/