The Lair

Gold!

 

Like let me Google that for you

 

its exactly that!

 

Also I like that my bike of the month thread came up from 600rr.net

 

Just talked to insurance adjuster. He said if the airbags deployed that alone is usually enough to total a lot of cars, so fj is likely deceased

 

Now that the weather is getting cold, my truck is deciding to show all the fun things that could use fixing. I went to start it after work the other morning (was about 5 degrees) and it sounded like the starter spun up, but the truck didn't crank. Did it again and it fired right up. Since then, it's done it a couple more times after it's been sitting a bit and is cold.

After doing some digging, I learned that our starters have two stages. The starter first pushes it's gear onto the engine flywheel assembly and once it's engaged and the gear teeth mesh up, THEN the motor starts to turn. My starter has been pushing the little gear out, but not cranking the engine over on the first try. Maybe some water got in and it's freezing? Anyways, when I get a warm day I plan on pulling the starter, disassembling it and cleaning out the contacts to ensure a good connection.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-rebuild-the-tacoma-starter-motor.200964/

While I'm at it I'll replace my intermediate shaft, since it will need to be removed to remove the starter. I can move my steering wheel back and forth 2" on the highway without it engaging, and this should fix that slop. It's #8 on this diagram.

 

You have to remove the steering shaft to get the starter out? Crossing my fingers that I get a few more years out of my starter...lol

 

I don't think you HAVE to, but it will make it a lot easier if you're trying to get it out through the drivers side wheel well. I think you can drop the skid and take it down that way, but I'm not sure! Either way, removing the steering shaft isn't hard. I had to remove it when I changed my rack and pinion.

EDIT: JK I think you have to. You can see it out in this pic from that thread.

 

Sounds like the solenoid is good, but maybe the starter, itself, is starting to fail. My friend's Dakota just did the same thing a few months back. We ended up just replacing the whole thing since we went through the hassle of getting it out and didn't want the chance of reinstalling a bad starter if cleaning it didn't work.

 

I'm gonna give it a shot and see what happens. Luckily since I'm a manual I can bump start the truck if needed, so I don't really need to be worried about being stranded if it doesn't fix it. If the problem persists, then I'll replace it with an OEM one.

 

If it is the other drivers paint you can probably remove it with some mineral spirits on a micro fiber. Then just throw some wax on it.

 

Finally done wiring! Until @Justanotherhemi sends me more lights.

 

Good tip! I have some laying around somewhere.

 

I still see shadow. Maybe some ditch lights will fill that in.

 

If you do end up replacing it, @RockAuto is a vendor on here, and they have a small discount for TW members. Just check out their sticky post in the Vendor section.

But hopefully, cleaning it will do the trick.

 

I'm waiting on some ditch lights.... @Justanotherhemi

 

Looking good CoCo! You do have a gap between the roof light bar and the bumper. Those ditch lights should take care of the issue

 

No pressure right?

 

Haha no rush man! My fingers are shredded from splicing wires all afternoon.

 

All you clowns with your burritos and cheese steaks and pizza, prepare to be jealous!

#imsohungry
#lifehasnomeaning