Self Starting Land Cruiser?!?

[Gauge]

The other day my girlfriend started my 97 Land Cruiser and it started fine but then the RPM's decreased as the engine started to stall. Right before stalling the starter engaged all by itself and cranked the engine until it ran at normal idle. Then the RPMs decreased again and right before the engine stalled the started engaged again. This cycle repeated itself about 4 times. After the starter "self engaged" the first time my girlfriend jumped out of the drivers seat and both my girlfriend and I stood next to the Land Cruiser watching it repeat this cycle until on the fourth time the starter did not engage and the engine stalled.

I turned the ignition off, waited a few seconds, turned the ignition on (dash lights), waited a few seconds and then cranked the engine. It started and ran fine and we have had no problems since.

On the day this happened, temperature was about 65 degrees outside and humidity was 100% as it was misting outside.

Anyone ever experience this before? Any thoughts?

 

[cruiserdan]

Starter contacts.


Replace them or the starter NOW.

 

[tucker74]

You need to replace your starter contacts - the starter wasn't starting and stopping, it was still engaged - causing the engine to stall. This is a common problem as the contacts in the starter wear and cause the plunger to stick...you need a new set of contacts and I'd go ahead and replace the plunger while you're in there. This is a job - here's a link to how to do it and ping cdan for the parts ($40).

Be careful though - if you don't fix this your starter can hang and not release - causing your electrical system to overload and kill your alternator (bigger PITA) -

Tucker

 

[tucker74]

Damn - beat me

Tucker

 

[Brentbba]

Damn 2 - jeez, does nobody pay attention to my saga about this. We just had another thread regarding this as well.

You WILL fry your alternator and battery if you don't repair/replace your starter NOW!

Dejavu!!

 

[cruiserdan]

Quick-draw..................

 

[cruiserdan]

Damn 2 - jeez, does nobody pay attention to my saga about this. We just had another thread regarding this as well.

You WILL fry your alternator and battery if you don't repair/replace your starter NOW!

Dejavu!!

Actually, based on what you spent in parts, I would prefer that they DID NOT listen.....

 

[Brentbba]

Actually, based on what you spent in parts, I would prefer that they DID NOT listen.....

Ouch! That hurt! hehehe

I'll plead 1/2 skills last time. Geez $40 and a few bruised knuckles repairing the starter is a whole lot better than $300 for a remfg starter and $300 for labor at a dealer. That didn't even include the similar costs for the alternator.

Next time I hear the first 'click' from the starter, I'm picking up the phone and calling for about $40 in parts.

 

[Gauge]

More Parts.......

OK C Dan, I just ordered the parts for the Birfield Repack, looks like I will need to order the Starter contacts as well. Send me a PM or call me on the number I gave you last week. Thanks for the feedback. You guys are awesome.

 

[Beowulf]

>> Next time I hear the first 'click' from the starter, <<
>> I'm picking up the phone and calling for about $40 in parts. <<

Or better yet, call C-Dan, order up some spares and throw them in the parts bin.

>> You WILL fry your alternator and battery ... <<

Or worse. We've had at least 2 reports where there were electrical fires. I believe both were covered under the comprehensive portion of the vehicle insurance policy but YMMV.

-B-

 

[Brentbba]

Probably not a bad idea next time I order something from the man.

Methinks I have to do the brakes this weekend tho. Telltale squeaking. A little early for the fronts, but who knows...trip home from summer camp w/o trailer brakes may have fried cruiser's brakes a little early. About time for the rear ones as well I think.

 

[Rookie2]

Damn 2 - jeez, does nobody pay attention to my saga about this. We just had another thread regarding this as well.

You WILL fry your alternator and battery if you don't repair/replace your starter NOW!

Dejavu!!

Not to mention a couple of fires have resulted from these starters looking up. These sound dangerously bad to me. If it were mine, I'd let it set until you get the contacts replaced.


Rookie2