New starter worked for 3 weeks and is now sticking

Sooo, I replaced my starter and battery because the battery wasn't holding a charge and the starter was not starting, even after the battery was replaced. The battery checks out fine but the new starter that I put ins't working anymore. It worked for about 3 weeks. I rechecked the battery and it is fine. I was able to get the starter to start when I knock it and turn the ignition. Does anyone have any idea as to what is going on?

 

Can't remember on the old tacomas but some vehicles you have to shim the starter. If it came with shims and you didn't use them that could be the problem.

Also seen a few bad cheap starters in a row. Just happens sometimes. Best to use OEM parts of possible

 

If you bought it from a parts store then it's a remanufactured starter. Meaning it's been rebuilt. Could just be a bad starter. Hopefully it's under warranty.

 

Dead spot on the starter. Replace. Is it remanufactured or a new starter? Does it happen every time or just occasionally?

 

remove the starter and hook it up directly to the battery. or jump the positive and starter solenoid signal terminal to see if it will start every time. just be advised, the engine will turn over if you do this. make sure its in park and in the off position.

 

It is from O'really's auto parts. I didn't know about the shims. That is good info to know. I don't think these came with shims because I don't think the one I took off had shims on it. it has a 2 year warranty on the new starter, thankfully. It hasn't started since the issue started.

Thanks for all your help!

 

Thanks for the advise codeseven. Ill try that tomorrow morning.

 

our starters shouldn't need shims. they were made well enough to not need any. fords and chevys did up until 2000 or so.

 

AFAIK, even the dealers sell remans (but they are remans of OEM starters).

 

Ive had part store starters go titts up on me after just weeks or months. I've had bad luck with starters like that. With our oem denso starters the are a superb piece of equipment. If you still have the old one (prolly not since you pry gave it to them for core) spend the 20 bucks or less and then ten minutes to replace the contacts and lil pluger thingy from a rebuild kit, you would have another several years of problem free operation. Theres a few places to get rebuild kits but usually its just the contacts. You can even just buy those separate for really cheap if you wanted and like i said its so super easy to do, like 5 or so screws and the job is done.

 

Was able to get a brand new one from O'Reilly's. No issues months later. Get that starter replaced

 

Thanks for all the advise! I pulled it out and put another one in. Not as big of a pain as it was the first time.