Help! Starter Sticking!

Jule · 10-31-09, 10:04 PM

I started up my 97 and heard a funny motor noise. I turned it off and the stater was still cranking. I turned it on and off a few more times starter was still cranking. I finally unhooked the battery. That stopped the cranking.

I hooked the battery up again. It started and turned off normal for a couple of cycles.

I am very disturbed by this because it is my wife's ride, she is hard of hearing and would not know something is wrong.

Is the problem a stuck solenoid? Ignition switch? How do I prevent this from happening again?

Thanks,

Jule

medtro · 10-31-09, 10:23 PM

You probably need new contacts and plunger.

Starter Motor Contacts

raydouble · 10-31-09, 10:33 PM

x2 on the contacts....probably welded together.

turbocruiser · 10-31-09, 10:47 PM

I'd do both the contacts and the plunger; the plunger can get crapped up and stick as its traveling through its motions ... if you just do the contacts make sure that the plunger and the plunger's bore are super smooth. Its a pretty easy procedure and I think there's a FAQ here too. HTH.

4x4CPOSEADOG · 10-31-09, 11:09 PM

X4 on the contacts and plunger. To give you and idea, here's picture of contact points and plunger installed on post #10 of this thread http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...tag-2-2kw.html the starter is a 2.2kw and maybe different from yours but to give you an idea on how to rebuild it.

Jule · 11-01-09, 12:30 AM

Thank you so much for the tips. I will get that looked into this week!

Jule

firetruck41 · 11-01-09, 01:35 AM

The sooner the better, since if they stick "on", the wires could overheat and cause a fire, especially if she doesn't hear it and disconnect the battery. I did run mine with the starter contacts going bad for a little while, but I had a wrench handy to disconnect the battery quickly.

Jule · 11-03-09, 08:10 PM

Starter replaced, local shop did it for $300. Owner has an 80 series also, put it the HD Denso starter ($235). Said he could get new contacts, but has not been able to get the plunger from Toyota. I figured the TLC is 12 years old and has 175k miles, might as well get a new starter.

fj80toyman · 11-03-09, 08:17 PM

Maybe others could chime in on the price, but it sounds like you got treated reasonably well. I don't know why he wouldn't have been able to find the plunger, although it's been a year since I did one, it wasn't difficult to find then.

You probably made the best choice for your situation, it doesn't sound like you would be willing to do it yourself, but good that you know what to do when it stuck itself.

Dan.

Jule · 11-03-09, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj80toyman

You probably made the best choice for your situation, it doesn't sound like you would be willing to do it yourself, but good that you know what to do when it stuck itself.

Dan.

I am working a lot of hours now and it would take me 4+ times as long as the mechanic to R & R when I factor in the time to clean out the garage, gather parts and tools, etc. I wanted it done ASAP and there is no way I could get to it for 2-3 weeks.

fj80toyman · 11-03-09, 09:33 PM

Absolutely no dis intended, just make sure your headstone doesn't read "I wish I could've spent more time at the office"!

Wrenching (for me) is therapy, if I don't get some in every now and then, I get grouchy.

Dan.

jvazquez53 · 11-03-09, 10:53 PM

This is my temporary fix. I just carry a nice piece of wood like a pick handle, every time my starter sticks, I give it a good whack and problem solved! I know, soon or later this will not work, but for now, I'll keep it doing it, heck is cheaper than a starter. Hope it wont fail me in the woods, no... it will not fail me, is a Land Cruiser!

badmuthatrucka · 11-04-09, 08:04 PM

Rebuilt mine not too long ago. Glad you had the money to have someone else do it, since you didn't have the time.

Call CDan down in Albuquerque, he can get you the plunger or anything else you might need/want for your wife's cruiser.