Intermittent Starter issues (1 Viewer)

[msand1977]

So about 9 months ago my wife reported that the cruiser wasnt starting after reading some posts here i figured it was my contacts so I replaced the starter. At the time it was easier to get a starter than just the contacts. This worked for awhile then I started having issues again i would turn the key and nothing no click no start. If I tapped the starter she would start right up, but turning the key multiple times did nothing. This was happening every couple of weeks, so i read some more posts about the nuetral safety switch and fusible links. I checked the nuetral safety switch connector and it didnt look to bad, but I cleaned it up anyway. I also replaced the fusible links, and didnt have any more problems for months until last week. Same issue no click tap on the starter and she turns over. So my question is what else can I check Ive read about the ignition switch, but i dont think that would be the problem if my starter works again after being tapped. Ive also noticed this happens more when its hot outside, during the winter months I had no issues.

Thanks for your help,
Matt

 

[skintunes]

Not unheard of to see starters fail in 9 mo. A rebuilt/aftermaket one?? HOWEVER- double check your +12 connections and make sure your mating surface is clean- that IS your Ground-
I have seen starters w/ bad brushes/contacts/flat spots work after a good smack- but also have seen perfect new starters get replaced after a smack when it was just never getting proper ground- the hammer rap just helped seat/ground it - giving the illusion it was a bad starter . Remove and bench test OR ground starter with Big alligator clip lead/jumper cable and test.

 

[duggy]

I'd definitely say it's a bad starter.

 

[VETTE60]

I'll chime in here with experience of several guys having the same issue. the ignition circuit degrades over time and will not even give you a click. you can either replace the ignition switch circuit or ad a simple relay to your ignition system the ignition switch will then activate the relay and power the solenoid. this has been the case in several trucks. these oem starters usually do not fail. the contacts wear, but not after 9 months unless installed wrong. pull your starter and take it to be tested at any auto parts store. check your contacts. if it works on the bench, it is your ignition circuit.

search "starter relay" or "ignition relay" in the 80 section.

 

[Offroads4x4]

Most starter issues can be fixed with a rebuild kit like bellow. If it starts after banging on it than there is no question it's the contacts and plunger.

You need to replace the plunger as well as the contacts. This is the round tube with the copper ring on it that rides on the contacts if you didn't do it the first time.

Plunger and contacts:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices


Full rebuild kit for Denzo starter:
eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

 

[Kernal]

msand1977: is your current starter a Toyota/Denso or an aftermarket part?

 

[FJ80Duo]

When I rebuilt my starter, it was $5 for contacts and just a clean up of everything else - well under 30 minutes of easy work. My philosophy is that if the contacts are worn down, I replace them and just resurface the copper ring with sandpaper. If the contacts are NOT deeply worn, then I replace them, the bearings, and the plunger. I check for armature connectivity, although I have not had mine go bad. My opinion (and that of a whole lot of people I know) is that an OEM starter rebuilt is much better than a new aftermarket.

 

[msand1977]

My starter is an aftermarket one from Oreillys, and I started having issues with it about 3 months after I installed it.

 

[FJ80Duo]

... I forgot to mention the brushes. I always take my (many) Toyotas to high mileage, but I have never seen them use up much brush material at all. I’m guessing that if the commutator ring (I mistakenly said armature before) gets buggered up, that you would wear them down pretty quickly, but mine have always been good.
Anyway, bottom line is the OEM starters are very easily rebuildable and should last a long time. Even if you aren't comfortable rebuilding it yourself, I would recommend taking to a shop and spending 75 or 100 bucks to let someone else do it before paying about the same for an aftermarket one.

 

[Kernal]

msand1977: It would be interesting to see how that starter was remanufactured, wanna pull it apart and post up some photos??

 

[rolliges]

Here's the rebuilt starter my local Toy dealer installed.

Never going back.

 

[msand1977]

msand1977: It would be interesting to see how that starter was remanufactured, wanna pull it apart and post up some photos??

It will be awhile for that. Working alot in the next few weeks, but from the photos ive seen here they look almost identical.

 

[Kernal]

msand1977: I meant it would be interesting if you took the starter apart to look at the internal components to determine why it died after just 3 months; ?? reused/worn brushes, worn beyond spec armature, improperly installed contacts, ----

 

[skintunes]

Oh, Mexico-- you may find cocaine packed in there ... impeding the brushes....

 

[rolliges]

Oh, Mexico-- you may find cocaine packed in there ... impeding the brushes....

My main complaint is not "Made in Mexico" it is the huge crack in the electrical insulation. Look at the photo above, it was installed like this!

 

[skintunes]

Some manufacturers don't use any insulation at all... don't worry about it - has not a thing to do with your issue....

 

[rolliges]

Right now I don't have any starter issues. It's just bothers me that the starter I have is not up to the Landcruiser standard of quality.

 

[skintunes]

Who told you it was not quality- ?? What bothers me is that you went to the dealership for a starter

 

[rolliges]

If is was insulated and the insulation is broken whatever quality it had is diminished.

It bothers me too that I couldn't remove the starter. I've had a starter plunger and contacts since joining Mud in 2005. Still have them.

Paid dearly for being lazy and not doing PM. Lesson learned.

May as well confess that I have an original unchanged PHH and a new fuel filter in the parts box from 2005 too.

 

[skintunes]

And you went to school for electrical engineering??/ good. Me too. The quality of that starter is unknown to me looking at a pic. The insulation you speak of will not affect its dependability-like I said many starters like my 40 series have no insulation.It's more than twice as old as your truck! if you are worried - stop taking pics of it and wrap it w/ some electrical or rescue tape already. It's just a grounding strap!