Mechanic forced ‘86 Camry key into my FJ60, Burned out the starter

[arrynes]

I took my ’85 fj60 to a tire/brake shop today to have a flat checked to see if it could be repaired. I handed them my keys for them to drive it around never guessing they’d force my ‘86 Camry key that was on the same ring into the ignition, turn it with pliers and burn out my starter. When they drove it back around there was grey smoke billowing out. They replaced the starter with something they found locally and claimed everything is fine but I have limited faith that that’s true. Now I’m nervous to drive for fear of a major electrical issue.

What else should I be checking/watching for (they claimed the wiring all looked fine and miraculously the ignition seems to work). I looked around myself but I’m not the most mechanically savvy and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance - picture of my fj60 “Sheila” just for fun.

 

[kirvesmies]

have you got any friends who are electrically savvy? if so, have them check it out for you. but don't give 'em beers till they're done barring that, find a toyota fsm wiring schematic n trace every circuit involved. i believe the fsm can be found in the 'resources'. that's in the header at the top of the page. what about the cylinder for the key? you'ed think that would be f#&kered from the heavy handedness
your recounting of that should have ended with "the knuckle dragger will be $h!ttin' teeth tomorrow"

 

[Godwin]

I'd get the old starter back and see about having it rebuilt, especially if it's a Denso. Very, very unlikely the starter was replaced with a Denso, more likely some lesser grade Chinese unit. If that's the case expect a shorter lifespan from the starter than if it were a Denso.

 

[4runner2FJ60]

The fuse panel and fusible link should have protected the wires from getting too hot or shorting out. Check all your fuses to see if you can tell if any are new looking.

 

[MoaByte]

That's a crazy event. A lot of old Toyotas just need a screwdriver for a key and only smoke because of old valve guide seals. Joking aside, that really sucks. Last time I took my 'Yoda to a professional, they filled the tranny from the detent spring and installed the spring and ball backwards. It effectively locked out reverse. I should have known when the mechanic brought out a 3ft breaker bar to remove the drain plug.
NEVER AGAIN.

 

[Spike Strip]

"...turn it with pliers..."

I'd have it checked by someone competent and send them the bill. I wouldn't trust these people to feed my dog.

Not sure how you burn out a starter like that, but I'd also have someone look at the flywheel teeth.

 

[g-man]

If they damaged the ignition key tumbler, I'd check with Toyota Matt for a replacement and have them foot the bill for the new key cylinder and a key...that matches your existing key set. @ToyotaMatt

 

[ToyotaMatt]

When a Land Cruiser like yours has a Ignition Lock Cylinder for various reasons bind , and stick i the ST feature key Rotate Sweep-Range position , the starter solenoid and end function result of the STAR DRIVE fly wheel gear and its sharp one-way biting only teeth , get takin for a Ride at ENGINE RPM speed greater that that top-thresh-hold cranking ability RPM ride on the wild side .

you now have the reverse taking place where the fly wheel RPM speed is now in complete control , the result is 2 mechanically meshed parts , that will result in catastrophic mechanical mayhem , till one of them , the weaker and less powerful one melts down and fails in a rapid eclectically charged way that WILL create all the grey smoke u saw as the internal copper windings and bearing fail faster towards certain doom as the engine RPM continues to rise and generate the heat from the Death Grip like friction that will eventfully come to a end all at one instant ..

i would absolutely make the time to drop the bottom bell housing inspection cover and carefully every single tooth on your Flywheel for possible trouble spots that may be present as a result of somebody who never f'ing should be handed a key that is NOT on there own key chain .....

i would also document this entire event from the moment you handed them your solid nickle black top TEq ,till this topic as whole is sorted out and fully understood ...?

i would personally take a moment and do a surprise drop by that shop , and do what ever is required no matter how much of angry customer attitude i had to become , and fetch that old original starter up , so u have the other side of the coin evidence and also to see and examine the STAR DRIVE gear and what level of possible destruction it tells a story about ?

hopefully the story is short ...

and ....

when you have in-hand your soon to be genuine NipponDenso oem Toyota gear reduction new starter from your local Toyota dealer that is not going to leave you hanging in less then 90days ...

you now have a legit CORE to turn in so you don't have to donate $75 extra more dollars towards the new car show room general sales manger's latest gold-chain necklace trust fund ....

lastly i would examine in great detail your column Ignition lock cylinder , because the simple force that required the use of plyers to get to this point , has for sure damaged your internals in some way , that do what they in there to do and do well when not violated like that ....




i hope there is no additional issues with your FJ60


matt