intermitent starting problem

[gjh]

Hello:

Oner of 2000 LC for 2+ yrs, great truck, but having an intermittent starting problem. 90,000 miles.

Here's the symptoms:


Out of the blue, 1-2 times a month I go to start the truck. Sometimes the starter turns over very slowly for 4-5 revolutions & then nothing. Then I continue to try & it cranks full speed & doesn't act up again for maybe a month.

I thought maybe neutral safety switch, def not the batt.

It seems as though sometimes if I hit the brake & shift in & out of park it starts. This morning nothing, even following the above sequence. I reset the neutral switch on the console & nothing, just idiot lights & warning buzzer.

I just kept turning the key on & off & all of a sudden worked fine & continued to restart thereafter.

Last time I had it to dealer for other service they could not find the prob as it was operating fine.

I don't want to spend $500-600 to "see" if it's the starter. I checked battery cables, but could not even get to the starter connection.

Any ideas?
Sticky starter brushes? Can I access the starter from below & remove the rear cover & spray some contact cleaner in on the armature to test that theorey?

I here the starter is buried under the exh manifold & a bear to replace.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[SWUtah]

Hello:

Oner of 2000 LC for 2+ yrs, great truck, but having an intermittent starting problem. 90,000 miles.

Here's the symptoms:


Out of the blue, 1-2 times a month I go to start the truck. Sometimes the starter turns over very slowly for 4-5 revolutions & then nothing. Then I continue to try & it cranks full speed & doesn't act up again for maybe a month.

I thought maybe neutral safety switch, def not the batt.

It seems as though sometimes if I hit the brake & shift in & out of park it starts. This morning nothing, even following the above sequence. I reset the neutral switch on the console & nothing, just idiot lights & warning buzzer.

I just kept turning the key on & off & all of a sudden worked fine & continued to restart thereafter.

Last time I had it to dealer for other service they could not find the prob as it was operating fine.

I don't want to spend $500-600 to "see" if it's the starter. I checked battery cables, but could not even get to the starter connection.

Any ideas?
Sticky starter brushes? Can I access the starter from below & remove the rear cover & spray some contact cleaner in on the armature to test that theorey?

I here the starter is buried under the exh manifold & a bear to replace.

Any help would be appreciated.

I had that problem on my 1999 LC, I changed the battery and then it happened again about 1 month later. I figured it was the starter and traded for a Lexus SC430

 

[JohnnyC]

sounds very much like a grounding issue...check all bat wires and also to the frame are making a good clean contact...and cable to the starter also. had that issue with a rig i owned in the past...just went thru at all and no problems ever again.

 

[e9999]

if it's like the 80s, maybe the contacts?

 

[100 TD]

Sometimes the starter turns over very slowly for 4-5 revolutions & then nothing. Then I continue to try & it cranks full speed & doesn't act up again for maybe a month.................

..............I just kept turning the key on & off & all of a sudden worked fine & continued to restart thereafter.

4 to 5 revolutions very slowly then nothing then full speed next time sounds like a bad connection somewhere, that is, LOW VOLTAGE to the starter for some starts due to one or more of the following
Bad positive or negative battery connection and/or corrosion under the terminal
Bad or loose connection at starter motor
Bad ground connection at chassis or engine block
Bad starter contacts (internal)
Sticky brushes(internal)
However, the symtons also ring true for a starter with a failing clutch as well, which can be U/S and make the engine turn very slowly or not at all.
If this is a V8 then the starter is under the inlet manifold
If it is a 6 cylinder then it is probably more accessible although may be under the exhaust.
Good Luck
For got to add this link to the starter contact replacement FAQ https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=9117&page=2

 

[EdsCruisin]

I think the odds are high that the starter contacts are your problem. I had similar symptoms and changed the battery. After changing the contacts I have had no other problems.

There are many threads in the forum about this issue. The typical is near the 90k mark as well.

 

[rph74]

Definitely sounds like the starter contacts.

 

[rockclmbr]

I will tend to disagree on it being the starter contacts. I am having this same exact issue at 108,000 miles. I already had the contacts go bad and replaced them at roughly 88k miles.

Just today, the starter turned very slowly and it did not turn over. I turned the key off and back on and it started after severl SLOOOOW turns.

I will check the wire connections, but I also do not want to have to dig back into the starter unless I'm going to put a new on in there.

These new contacts and plunger are 20k miles old.

 

[EdsCruisin]

My lawnmower was doing that too and it turned out to be the ignition switch. In the LC it may be other relays in the starting circuit, including possibly the battery not having the depth of life that we need to start the beast. One way or the other I would still bet it is a starting circuit issue.

 

[BMWSTOY]

I purchased mine used, but in the receits are the same symptoms. The starter was replaced and then later the battery was replaced both at around 90K.

I read the service notes and the owners indicated it would not start and after about 5-6 times turning the keys then it would - intermittent as you have described - I vote for starter too.

 

[lcgeek]

I had the same symptoms a few months ago on my wifes LX470 at 90K. Changed the starter and it has been fine since then.

 

[rockclmbr]

It sounds like we are voting for changing the enitre starter as opposed to R&R the contacts and plunger?? Is this correct?

 

[NMuzj100]

Bump for an update.

It sounds like we are voting for changing the entire starter as opposed to R&R the contacts and plunger?? Is this correct?

For someone who is paying to have it done it makes the most sense to just replace it. Part of the problem with diagnosing these problems is that the starter conatcts go bad at around the same time the batteries get weak and that makes it hard to untangle what is causing the problem.

A free battery test would be a logical starting point and with dealer service being what it is I wonder if it was done. If it started fine for them they might not have done anything.

I am having the same symptoms and plan on replacing the contacts this weekend.

 

[SWUtah]

Bump for an update.



For someone who is paying to have it done it makes the most sense to just replace it. Part of the problem with diagnosing these problems is that the starter conatcts go bad at around the same time the batteries get weak and that makes it hard to untangle what is causing the problem.

A free battery test would be a logical starting point and with dealer service being what it is I wonder if it was done. If it started fine for them they might not have done anything.

I am having the same symptoms and plan on replacing the contacts this weekend.

I replaced the battery on my 99 when it did this, problem went away. Much cheaper first step.

 

[EdsCruisin]

Likewise, I replaced the battery first. Just a few days later I found it did not solve my problem. I was at 72k miles. Ever since changing the contacts I have had no problem. Would I be surprised if the starter gives me trouble again? NO

 

[gjh]

Starter

I don't know; for the time of the labor 3-4 hrs at best I would prob go for the entire starter, whether I was doing it myself or at a shop. I would hate to have to pay for, or do the labor twice to save $250 or there abouts.

If you are going to keep the truck it probably pays to go the whole nine yards.

I tend to doubt it's my battery, the truck usually starts fine, even in the 2deg weather we had last week & then sometimes it acts up at 50 deg.

The frustrating thing is the shop is going to experiment with your money & if something else shows up they will say you needed both items.

 

[NMuzj100]

I had that problem on my 1999 LC, I changed the battery and then it happened again about 1 month later. I figured it was the starter and traded for a Lexus SC430

I replaced the battery on my 99 when it did this, problem went away. Much cheaper first step.

 

[concretejungle]

OK, i will throw my 2 cents in.

Even though i'm an 80 owner, we have been discussing an issue just like this with the 80. At first, we all thought it was contacts in the starter. It's a cheap fix so why not try that first. That's what i did. New contacts and plunger, also make sure all the grounds are functioning correctly.

Still, had the intermittent starting problems.

Then a 80 owner from Australia chimed in and said it's a known problem with Toyota's that the ignition switch will go bad.

He was correct, once replacing the ignition it starts rock solid each and every time.

Apparently if you look in the ignition switch, there is a metal contact area that wears out and gets pitted/corroded.

Hope this helps.

 

[rockclmbr]

Apparently if you look in the ignition switch, there is a metal contact area that wears out and gets pitted/corroded.

Interesting. How much is said switch and how easy to replace?

Thanks!

 

[gjh]

Finally bit the dust

OK, after 6 mos of the intermittent starting prob I could not get the beast going. So AAA & my friendly Toyota dealer it was. I tried to jump start the car, but the hood was iced closed after a nasty night of NE weather.

So the dealer calls me 2 hrs later, they were able to jump start the truck. It has been in to them at least twice for other service where I asked them to check the starter, but of course it was working, so they couldn't determine anything.

Well this time I asked them to do a load test on the batt. as I was ready to just buy one, since the $100 at Sears would prob be well spent since I think the batt is 3-4 yrs old any way & I'd keep this as a spare or use in my small boat.

Anyway, batt shows no good on a load & he quotes me $175 f%$king $ for a replacement. I say what & he tells me it's a heavy duty Interstate made for Toyo. I say can I hold on That & for him to complete the testing of the starter. Next day (today) he calls this morning & says tech sees intermittent prob with starter; not sh*t. So I say how much.

$750 for labor & parts & thats a factory rebuilt! $90 something an hr!

So what can I do but say go for it & I'll throw in a batt on my own. I don't think the batt is that bad.


Oh & by the way, best battery Interstate makes for that truck is listed at $119 & retails for maybe $90; what a rip off.

Also, shop says my T belt looks to be orig & asked if I wanted to open my wallet for another $400 +/- to do that today, not quite! I've got I've got 90k on the truck, that will have to wait for another day.

So looks like I better get my tax refund real quick for this unexpected work.

I love this truck, but it isn't cheap to work on.

I need a good independent wrencher near Boston!!!