First Time Starter Replacement. (2 Viewers)

[OG 91 LC]

Ok fellas. If you go out to start your truck and you hear the "click- click" sound and your truck does not turn over then you may have one of several issues. This may be a symptom of of a bad battery, a bad alternator, or your starter maybe going out to name a few. There are several ways to diagnose each component and that maybe as simple as taking your truck to your local auto store or hopping onto youtube and watching a few videos to help you out. A voltmeter comes in handy.

So after troubleshooting several items I knew my starter was going bad.

So here's my first time DIY post on taking out your starter and swapping in a new one.

Note that you may not need to swap in a new starter. There are several threads on how to put in new contacts and components on your starter to get you back on the road. "Search" function is your friend.

Again this is my first time and I only have a limited number of tools on hand, but this is what I used.
A small and medium socket wrench. 12mm and 17mm sockets. A longer socket (doesnt matter what size) , a long heavy duty flat head screw driver, some eye protection, and some WD40.

Note. Before you begin to work on getting your starter out you will need to do a few things. You will need to turn your wheels to the right to get as much room as possible between the wheel, the wheel well, the truck's frame, and the starter. Also, and much more important you will need to disconnect the battery, I disconnect both the positive and the negative terminals, in your engine bay. The proper way is to disconnect the negative terminal first, then the positive.

 

[OG 91 LC]

So here are some pics before I begin the process.

The starter is located on the DS near the front wheel well. So my tires are turned to the right for room.

And here's the starter.

If you have disconnected your battery terminals then you may proceed to disconnect a few items on the starter itself. Notice on the new starter the two connections. One requires you to use the 12mm socket to disconnect.

 

[OG 91 LC]

Back to the starter connections. One of the connections just clips in so you have to push down and as you're pushing down pull just a tad on the connection and it should come out. The connection that requires the 12mm socket has a plastic cover. You have to pull the cover back to expose the 12mm nut holding the connection.

Now that you have disconnected the two connections its time to unbolt the two bolts that are holding up the starter in place.

The top bolt is the gnarly one so I will start with this one. Here's a few pics

Notice the bolt near the starter connection. And yes both pics of the bolt were after loosing it up. This bolt was crazy tight. I will try my best to show you how I used the tools available to get this bolt out.

 

[OG 91 LC]

So using the tools available I did this. Using the idea of levers and remembering T = r x F I tried to get the longest handle possible with my socket wrench for leverage. Here's what I did. I put a few pieces together including my screwdriver.

So I got the socket onto the bolt (somehow) and I had the handle including the screwdriver to come out near the wheel well like this.

The following pic is from underneath the truck looking up at the starter. You can see my socket wrench extension.

So to break this bolt loose I wrapped my arm and hand over the starter to grip the socket on the wrench and I pushed on the socket wrench, being mindful of the metal lines near the screwdriver, and Viola!!! The bolt broke loose. (Much easier said then done).

 

[OG 91 LC]

The bottom bolt was much easier. The bottom bolt can be found on the opposite side of the top bolt underneath the truck. Here's what it looks like.

From underneath the DS door and looking up towards the front of the truck you will see this.

You can see the bolt that has been loosened up. To loosen this bolt I used my socket wrench. I attached my socket extension to another socket and attached it to the handle. Like this.

The bottom bolt was pretty easy using the above.

After disconnecting the connections and the two bolts the starter comes out with ease. Here's a pic of the starter out.

 

[OG 91 LC]

That's all folks. You are ready to bolt on your new starter. The process is just the reverse.

Things to keep in mind on bolting your starter back.

If using the above socket/screwdriver extension to tighten up the top bolt be careful with some of the metal lines.

Do not connect the the two connections first on your new starter and then try to bolt the two bolts. Your connections will get in the way.
Bolt first, then connect.

As stated above the correct way to connect your battery and its terminals is to connect the positive lead first, then the negative.


Time: With the right tools and shop this could be done in less than 30 min. Putting it back is like 15-20 min. It took me a while to document and make it easier on you.


No more "click-click." And no more wondering if my truck is going to start. Now. It just does!!!!!

 

[JRB14]

Excellent Post.

 

[OG 91 LC]

Thanks man. I'm trying to make it easy on noobs and people that dont wrench. I don't wrench at all, but that was fun and a confidence boost to try out some more PM stuff on my truck. I hope it benefits other fellow mudders!

 

[Alleycats]

Me likey.

 

[bajaphile]

Nice job! Curious on what was wrong with your starter? I've only had to replace the contacts on my Toyotas?!

 

[OG 91 LC]

My starter was acting up. One day my truck would start, then the next day it wouldn't. I thought it was my battery or my alternator, but the typical bad battery or bad alternator symptoms weren't there.

I guess I could have swapped in new contacts. I did do a bit of research on the starter and I did read about the contacts. I just wasn't sure about the idea.

I'm just curious to pop open the old starter and check out the innards.

 

[Tx bendejo]

Awesome right up! My cruiser is at the office with a bad starter that just died. Had to take my big work truck home. Replace it this morning.

 

[jakesiar]

Well done… Did you keep the old starter to rebuild it?

 

[OG 91 LC]

Yes I kept the old starter. Toyota charges a $30 core charge. I could take it back and get my $30 back, but I thought it would be cool to keep it and open it up to tinker with it.

I did see a vid on YouTube last night on replacing the contacts and plunger. I may do that with it later.

 

[BayouFJ80]

Thanks for posting this!

 

[Bigsky80]

If you don't mind I'll add a little advice. I had a hard time removing my bottom bolt. After trying a few different tools I discovered a small 20 volt Dewalt impact drill with a 6" extension fits perfectly.

 

[BayouFJ80]

I replaced mine this afternoon in the driveway. Ended up taking the tire off. I thought about the rebuild route, but went the CDAN route instead. Monkey off my back for now. Taking the tire off made it much easier. Blocked up under the front in case jack failed, after that it was trying to figure out how to get big hands into small spaces. Took and hour to do the job so not bad, but hot as hell on the driveway. Thank you VERY much for posting this thread. Sure helped me out.

 

[rockstate45]

Fantastic thread... This should be a sticky in the FAQ. I replaced mine this morning and it was a simple job, especially once you build the ladder of extensions.

 

[team420]

hmmm... never used a socket and screw driver on the end of a ratchet for leverage... neat idea. I usually just take a small (say 12mm or so) box wrench and use that, which, can be cumbersome to say the least.

 

[mervo]

I've changed my starter in my 95 22're at least 3 tmes, easy peazy. However, when I undertook the 95LC I was befuddled as to how to get the necessary torque on the bolts due to the location. After getting frustrated for at least an hour, I went to the MUD and found your article.

All I can say is thanks to you and PB Blaster, the job is complete.

I've come to notice, in my limited wrenching experience, that finding the proper way to get the necessary force behind something, while using the CORRECT tool (box wrench for CDL actuator taught me this, another MUD article) as opposed to anything else makes the job as easy as it should be.

Again, many thanks OG 91 LC