Diagnose failure to start

[FOPLawyer]

I have already scheduled a replacement of the starter in my 2000 LC, but I thought I should ask if anyone thinks this failure could b anything other than the starter contacts.

Symptoms

at random times there is almost no reaction to me turning the key. There might be a tiny bit of whirring but no engagement click or noticeable attempt to crank. After I try two or three times I will get a normal start with no evidence of trouble.

Truck has 130k but gets a lot of local use (lots of starts per mile). Dealer is quoting me $700 for a reman toyota starter with a 1 year warranty. Or $640 for a non toyota replacement. I will also get 10% off on a coupon. I know it can be done with replacement contacts but I drive it every day and can't have it down for the time it would take me to do the work.

Thanks for any input.

 

[DFXR]

I have already scheduled a replacement of the starter in my 2000 LC, but I thought I should ask if anyone thinks this failure could b anything other than the starter contacts.

Symptoms

at random times there is almost no reaction to me turning the key. There might be a tiny bit of whirring but no engagement click or noticeable attempt to crank. After I try two or three times I will get a normal start with no evidence of trouble.

Truck has 130k but gets a lot of local use (lots of starts per mile). Dealer is quoting me $700 for a reman toyota starter with a 1 year warranty. Or $640 for a non toyota replacement. I will also get 10% off on a coupon. I know it can be done with replacement contacts but I drive it every day and can't have it down for the time it would take me to do the work.

Thanks for any input.

When my starter was failing recently I always got a click. As it progressed, it would click on each attempt, two or three times, before starting. This has been the case in any vehicle I've been in that had a failing starter.

The only times that I have had absolutely no reaction - no click, nothing - have been when there was a loose connection at the battery. So you may check you terminals and your body and engine grounds for something loose.

As for the starter replacement - if you go that route, the pricing for the Toyota reman sounds fair. New is unavailable as far as I know, and it's not worth saving such a small amount to go aftermarket. With your coupon, you're looking at $630, which is cheaper than many dealers will quote for this. There's a fair amount of labor involved in getting to the starter on these engines.

 

[ponytl]

For me it's a 2hr job... so I assume a dealer tech could do it in less time... Most rebuilt starters that are rebuilt are done by ACC rebuilders... you will get the same starter from toyota as you do from advance auto parts... check advance and use coupon code trt30 or trt20...

 

[FOPLawyer]

For me it's a 2hr job... so I assume a dealer tech could do it in less time... Most rebuilt starters that are rebuilt are done by ACC rebuilders... you will get the same starter from toyota as you do from advance auto parts... check advance and use coupon code trt30 or trt20...

I just can't take it out of commission for what would likely end up being 2 or 3 days if I do it myself. Thanks for the info.