New starter source

I've decided to go ahead and replace my starter before it leaves me stranded. It's showing symptoms of going out. Occasional delay when turning the key to start before it begins cranking. Intermittent no crank when turning the key to start. I suppose I should crawl under to make sure I'm getting good voltage when turning the key. It's probably still got the original starter, bought it used a couple years ago.

I'm guessing I'm stuck with going to the dealership, which I absolutely hate doing, for a starter. I no longer trust Amazon for critical pieces like this. Too many counterfeits, bait and switch, etc.

 

NAPA, O'riley's, Car Quest, Auto Zone

 

I got a good deal on a remanufactured starter from my dealer about 2 years ago.

If you don`t like your local dealer parts department find another close by or check out some of the online dealers.

 

I should have mentioned, I don’t want to use a reman piece. After hearing horror stories here, and personal experiences, I want to go with new oem. I’m a do it right the first time thinker, anything worth doing is worth doing right.

 

I'd trust a denso reman

Make sure you have good command voltage on the skinny wire and battery voltage on the big cable.

 

X2 on the denso reman.

 

From your symptoms you probably just have a case of burned contacts in the solenoid. A real easy fix for about 40 dollars and and hour of your time.

You can buy the contacts and plunger new from Nations Starter and Alternator for about 30 - 35 bucks. Much cheaper than hundreds for a rebuilt POS from Autozone etc.

https://www.nationsstarteralternator.com/Starter-Rebuild-Kits-s/37.htm


Check this video for rebuilding the solenoid on the starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwokxzjlYcQ&feature=emb_logo

 

If you want New if it is not Obsolete you have no other Source then through a Toyota Parts Dealer either in person or online .

Remember the Denso OE starters Rebuilt through the Toyota Parts Network are the OE starters.

They Are Not 100% the same as the Denso Aftermarket re manufactured one might find elsewhere.

 

I appreciate the replies. I should add its a 07 xrunner, 4.0, 6sp manual, about 90k miles.

Once I bought a brake caliper rebuild kit, which made me decide to never do that again, ever. So I always prefer new first, rebuilt if no other options available. I've had very little luck with rebuilt with the exception of a rebuilt carb from a highly recommended source.

I live in a large city, and have at least 6 toyota dealers within 30 miles of home. My hope is to not have to go to any of them for several reasons. First, you simply glance towards the cars for sale, they pounce, then insult you for wasting their time. Second, over the counter pricing sucks, I always feel like I'm being screwed.

Jimmyh, info coming from you has always been solid so I might give the solenoid rebuild a go, looks fairly simple. But I think first step is to get under with my multimeter, check voltage drop a the main post, good ground to starter body, good consistent key in start position voltage to the little wire. I already know battery, posts, terminals are all good, I keep that good and clean.

 

Funny I only have had one encounter with Sales People At my Local Dealer The very first time I went there in person

Sales Woman started the spiel I countered with Technical questions about what she was trying to sell The Deer in the Headlights look was priceless.

The Service Manager said don`t waste his time He forgot more then you will ever know . all the new sales people get warned we still interact over the free coffee but no one tries to sell me anything.

your post reminded of that day long ago.

 

Was it a rebuilt caliper?
Or did you buy the rebuild kit and rebuild it yourself?

I’ve found it better (for me) to just buy a quality name brand NEW caliper.
If the cylinders aren’t in really good shape, there’s no use in rebuilding them.
Yes, you can hone them. But how much and is it worth it? For me. Almost never anymore.


As for the starter, I’d avoid anything other than a OE rebuild or New.
If you want to try what Jimmyh posted, that would be a good option if you are wanting to try to save a few bucks.

 

I bought the caliper rebuild kit. I was still young and stupider. Trying to get the piston out, used the air gun and slammed the crap outta my hand. That and the fight to get the new seals in is probably why I don’t want to do rebuild kits.

 

Not looking to save a couple bucks, and definitely don’t want to have to do it twice, my time is too valuable. Which is why I’m leaning towards a new starter.

 

I've been using a starter that I bought at advanced Auto for close to 3 years. It has been a non-issue. Did I luck out? I have no idea.

Mine lasted well over 200k before it started acting up. In kinda surprised yours hasn't made it to 100k at least.

 

Quality electrical shop should be available in a large city like yours.

I've had OE starters and alternators rebuilt by one. Prices were less than a reman from a parts house, even including R&R.

Just another option.

 

I decided to do the starter solenoid rebuild today. Also did the differential gear oil change. I had planned to do a good detailed write up with pictures and all the fastener sizes but every time I have to use a gear oil pump, I get frustrsted. My plews pump that's supposed to fit "most major brands" didn't fit the redline bottles. Luckily I had some empty oil bottles laying around. In had to go through 4 different brands to find one that fit.

The solenoid rebuild went about as expected, no major hiccups, a buncha minor ones. Before putting the cover back on I put my meter on both posts, pushed the plunger in, got the same reading as I would when touching the 2 test leads together, excellent.

Mistakes: 1, I read somewhere removing the passengers wheel and plastic cover behind the wheel makes access easier. Found the starter to be on the driver's side. Perhaps a post from a right side drivers seat country, or the 4 cylinder, mine being a V6, 2 wheel drive, 5 lug. I had set myself up to be in the shade on the passengers side, instead I was in the sun for the task.

2, forgot to loosen the lug nuts before getting it up on jack stands, luckily I have an impact wrench.

3, gardener was scheduled so I had to deal with grass flying all over me.

4, broke a plastic fastener holding the plastic cover behind the wheel. I swiped a different one from above the radiator.

5, theres a tear drop shaped plastic insulator on one of the starter posts, on the pointy part of the tear drop, under it is an outie thing that fits into an innie thing on the starter body, I broke the whole pointy part off.

Tips: 1, common sense says to disconnect the battery, then disconnect the 2 wires on the starter. Theres a ground wire in the way I also unbolted. The big starter wire and ground I think were both 12mm.

2, leave the upper most plastic fastener in the plastic cover, swing it up over and out of the way.

3, the 2 bolts that hold the starter in, the lower one was easy. The upper one is a bit of a pain. I was able to get it with my long handle 3/8 ratchet, deep 6 point 14mm socket, and a short extension. Cracking the upper one loose wasn't too bad, getting it out was turn the ratchet as far as it would go, take it out, click it once, put it back on, turn as far as it would go, repeat about 15 times until it was loose enough to get it with a 1/4 drive swivel socket, long extension, and long spinner handle.

4, on one of the contacts, the bolt kinda goes in like wheel studs go in a drum. I put the nut back on so none of the bolt threads stick out, put the contact in a vice and hit the nut with a wood mallet to get it out.

5, once disconnected and unbolted, dropping the starter, you tetris it out as I read somewhere. Look at the opening, think of the shape of the starter, it'll make sense once you see it.

6, you'll see a square piece with a bolt hole and tiny wire soldered to it, be gentle so you don't break the wire.

7, before putting the starter back in, I put a tiny dab of anti seize on each bolt threaded it in and out of the starter. You'll be glad if years from now you need to drop the starter again.

Put back together, fired right up no problem. Hopefully my issue is resolved.

 

Buy from a Toyota dealer on ebay IF you have any problems with your rebuild,a lot better pricing on Toyota factory parts.

 

Better than spending 3 hundred or so wasn't it?

Good job by the way!

 

Absolutely! Many thanks for the tip. I think I’ll treat myself to a roast duck dinner with the cash I didn’t blow. Maybe I’ll help me getting over having to use the gear oil pump.

 

Bought a Denso rebuilt for $109.00 with core return. Didn’t want to buy a new Denso, but Denso brand starters were OEM for my truck. I believe they are upper end in quality for a rebuilt starter.