Search function and Dealerships

[zklebe]

First off, this site is great, I have encountered the common "starter contact problem on my new LC. After using the search function on SOR I found some great tech info that helped me diagnose the problem and figure out which parts to get to make the repair. The detailed repair instructions are much better than the FSM's description.

The second subject of my post. My local dealership has terrible service when it comes to parts and any information that they are willing to "give up". I went yesterday and told the guy I needed the starter contacts for a repair, he pulls out a box from under the counter and pulls out some copper contacts ( I hadn't even told him the vehicle type yet), when I tell him it is for a LC he puts 4 contacts on the counter and says "there you go". From what I read on this site, I really expected to see the individual rebuild kit for each contact - but he didn't bother to ask or offer - and now I have two sets of contacts and I'm pretty sure that I only need two contacts. The contacts he sold me included two of the basic contacts and two of the funny shaped ones (has a wing thing on one side) however they are mirror images of each other - will I be able the use the left over one at a later date even though it is the mirror image of the other one. I didn't really want to spend an extra $12 to have an extra set, but he made it sound like I needed both sets.


Zach

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Zach,
First off welcome you noobie you,
second off get to know the pm system and a lad by the name of cruiser dan, great guy who probably knows more about 80 series cruiser parts than the rest of Toyota north america combined, it doesn't hurt that he runs a parts department at a dealership.
Drop him pm if you need parts or go through the archives find the part numbers and tehn go to your local parts shmo and tell him what you want.
Dave

 

[Junk]

aklebe,
Welcome noob, .

Phaedrus is spot on with letting you know about Cruiserdan. Great guy with great prices and give good knowledge .

Bottom line is that most local dealers don't have a clue what they are doing. Most never had and never will. Luckily for us, we have a great forum to exchange info on and great sources of guys like Cdan, Slee and others.

Make sure you check out the newbie guide on Slee Offroad too if you haven't.

 

[ppc]

You only need two contacts. Just like my local dealer they are not supplying you with genuine Toyota parts but those sourced from a local supply house and charging you OEM prices. They buy the contacts by the bag. I was able to source just the contacts from a local automotive electrics shop for $1 each. It was only the copper contact itsself. The OEM parts come with new bolts, insulators and nuts. You may need to get the plunger also (OEM) if you can't touch it up yourself. Here are the old contacts I removed.