ehh, Burned out Starter? NW WA

[Jon Vander Ark]

Man, I let my cousin drive my 60 and when she got back (about 10 miles round-trip) the key was still in the ignition and it was making a funny whirring noise. She complained they key was 'weird to turn.' It smells horrible, something was definitely burning out and it seems to be coming drivers side in between tire and tranny. It's way too dark to see anything, but I'm almost positive the starter's burned out.

The key was in an odd position, with strange resistance. I've never felt anything like that before. The car is slow to start, real sluggish and labored to turn over. Like a dead battery but.. odd.

Does my diagnoses sound correct?

Anyone know where to get a new starter, quick in Mount Vernon area (hour north of Seattle). Anything withing 25 miles is close to me!

Thanks..

 

[brokenparts]

sounds like maybe the you have a short between your ignition and your starter. Does it smell electrical? Can you describe the "whine" better?

 

[haryv]

starter is cooked

Sorry to say sounds like the field coils overheated, expanded and now are contacting the starter housing as it turns over creating a huge short to ground. If the starter is hot when turning over 99% chance its shorting to ground.

Replace the ignition swich which may be partly responsible for the failed spring back of the key IF that is the problem then replace the starter.

Check the battery state of charge while your at it.

 

[2mbb]

there are two parts to the ignition switch. There is the key/tumbler assembly part and the electrical switch part (picture below). You need to pull the plastic surround off the steering wheel column to get access. After that, the electrical switch part comes off pretty easily (one more screw). The center of electrical switch should rotate freely and "spring back" from the start position to the run position. If that seems OK, then your key/tumbler might be sticking or jammed.

 

[Jon Vander Ark]

brokenparts: The burning certainly had an electrical smell to it. I immediately went to the key and got it to the 'off' position. Once I had it there correctly, the whining stopped. I didn't pay much attention to it, other than take note, i just wanted it to stop!!

The ignition switch and the key, seem to work well. She had the key in, but not all the way, and somehow forced it to go. The resistance, like I said, was odd. Once I got it all the way back and key out, everything it right again. I'm definitely going to check the switch though.

I've never replaced a starter before.. difficult?

 

[lovetoski]

I've never replaced a starter before.. difficult?

Pretty easy. One tip - regarding sequence of installing the hot lead from the battery. Disconnect the battery end before removing the old starter, and don't reconnect it until you finish installing the new starter. Otherwise you'll get an exciting fireworks show right in front of your face when you remove/reattach at the starter end. Plus, if your wrench hits a ground while you are tightening the nut you will get a lot of amps down that big fat wire...

BTDT.

Also, the OEM starter is rebuildable. There are posts on here how to do it.

 

[Jon Vander Ark]

Rebuildable?

If it is the field coils overheating as haryv suggests, would the starter still be rebuild able? Everything I see about rebuilding just mentions contacts, brushes and plunger..

What part would the coils be on this diagram?

 

[lovetoski]

I'd pull it apart and take a look inside. A common Toyota starter failure is for the brushes to wear and for the solenoid to get sticky. These are both part of the rebuild. If you've got to get it running right away, just throw on a reman.

 

[Spook50]

I'd pull it apart and take a look inside. A common Toyota starter failure is for the brushes to wear and for the solenoid to get sticky. These are both part of the rebuild. If you've got to get it running right away, just throw on a reman.

I'm not a fan of reman'd stuff, but it'll work in a pinch. I keep telling myself that I'll get a Mean Green and swap it in once my factory starter starts to go out, then take the factory starter in for a rebuild and keep it on the shelf as a spare.

 

[Jon Vander Ark]

I think my plan of action is to call up all the junkyards in greater Seattle and look for a 60. Head down there, and pull the starter - if OEM. Then rebuild that just for practice/reassurance sake and put her in. Then take out old one and... walla! I have a spare (once rebuilt)!

Good part - she still starts on first turn over. It's a slow turnover, but still fires up as soon as it's complete. I'm hoping it lasts me a couple of days so I can source parts and everything else before starting work.

Thanks for your help, I'll start another thread if I run into problems/questions!

Jon