FJ62 starter diagnosis

[gooberus]

Hi all,
I was wondering how to diagnose if the starter for my 1990 fj62 needed to be replaced or rebuilt. Since I've purchased her about 6 months ago, I have always experienced growling starts (if that makes sense). I would usually let her struggle a bit and then back off on the ignition and then try again. It usually takes a couple of tries before she starts up. However, out of curiosity, I recently just kept on cranking to see what would happen. I figured if it was going to crap out, it might as well be in my drive way and not while in the woods somewhere. Anyhow, she growled as usual and then progressively growled less and less until there was no more growling. Now, all I hear is a faint "duk" sound from under the passenger dash every time I turn the ignition.

I have read zcruiser's post on rebuilding a starter ( https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/105626-here-toyota-part-s-starter-rebuild.html) and am really tempted to rebuild it, but was wondering if my starter is shot, in which case, I would just replace the whole thing.

As always, thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

I would look at the battery cables before rebuilding the starter. By look at, I mean touch every inch of the cable, bending it and checking all connections thoroughly. I'd also check out the battery, of course.

 

[60Works]

Checking your wiring is a good idea but it doesn't sound like that is your problem. Wires don't growl. It sounds more like your gears are stripped. Either the starter pall or the flywheel, maybe both. If you pull your starter you can inspect both then decide where to go from there.

You were smart to break it in your driveway.

 

[gooberus]

Thanks Wile , Juggernaught,
I check the wires and found no rusted connections. What I did notice was on the signal connection seems pretty rotted out. What is the purpose of this signal connection and could this be the culprit?



As always, thanks.

 

[rrv333]

I just rebuilt my starter, 1/2 banana job. Takes longer to pull the starter than the actual rebuild.

 

[60Works]

The signal wire is to the starter solenoid. It's the small switch that turns on the big switch. If it isn't making a good connection, or if your solenoid is week it can cause the solenoid to chatter and not allow enough electrical current to pass through it to the starter motor. This would in turn limit how well the starter pall, the small gear, shoots out to engage the flywheel teeth.

So, Wile may be exactly right and that sometimes wires CAN growl.

Clean it up and reconnect it. If nothing changes pull your starter and inspect it. The starter is heavy and probably very dirty but it is a very straight forward removal and reinstallation.

 

[gooberus]

Thanks for the insight Juggernaught. I'll report back once I clean or replace the connector.

 

[SHERMAN FJ62]

The wiring and vehicle ground wire are good thing to check but I had problems with cheap rebuild starters not lasting long due to silonoids burning out prematurely. I would recommend denso starter through Rock auto

 

[gooberus]

I am at wits end. I changed out the signal connector...no luck. I was still getting the same "duc" sound. I then replaced all the contacts with parts from a dealer...no luck there either. Finally I picked up a remanufactured unit, and still no luck. Although, with the new unit, I get a louder "duc". I feel that I am spinning my wheels and burning unnecessary cash. Help please!!!

 

[John McVicker]

I think you will solve your problem by using a simple 4 pin relay. Take power directly from the large positive cable on your starter (use a in line fuse) using the solenoid connection in your post # 4 as your trigger for the relay.

I too thought I found my problem when I replaced that solenoid connection in post 4. Mine also looked that bad. Still did not work. After many searches someone suggested using a relay. $10 & 1 hours work & it has been perfect ever since.

Thanks, John



.

 

[gooberus]

So the cruiser sat for a couple of days and out of no where I try to crank it again. To my surprise, the starter made a spinning sound. But it did not sound like the gears caught anything. I tried 2 more times and then no more sound, not even a click. Battery is still good but I am still baffled.

 

[gooberus]

I decided to compare the new and old starter only to find that the new one is slightly different in size, which would explain why the starter did not engage the flywheel. For kicks, I decided to put the old starter back on and viola! It worked. I can't really figure out why it didn't work the first time but perhaps a connection got made while installing and reinstalling it.

Thanks everyone for your help.