Slow Starter-- Sounds "whiney" -- 2003 4.7 V8 250K miles

[sjpitts]

2003 4.7 V8. 250K miles. I have had it for 15 years or so. Never had a problem with the starter before. I believe it is original.

Over the last couple of days the starter has started to sound slower. Like it is struggling. And it sounds more "whiney" to my uneducated ear. To me, it sounds like the starter barely has the strength to turn the engine. And it takes a second or two before it starts -- definitely longer than it did before. It hasn't failed to start the engine yet, but I feel like it is getting there. And I don't want to leave anyone stranded.

The battery is only a year old. I pulled the terminals and cleaned them up. I drove down to O'Reilly's and they tested the battery and it was good. Their little machine said there was a problem with the starter circuit. But it did not give details.

So my initial thought is that it must be the starter. But it occurs to me that it might be a problem with a relay or something. What is the chance of that? There are a couple of "starter relay assemblies" listed on the Toyota parts site but I don't know if those are ever the source of a problem like this.

Here are three videos of three starts I did in row. I did these in the morning -- after fully charging the battery. Does it sound like a bad starter to you?

Start 1

Start 2

Start 3

Directory of all three here

Thanks

Jared

PS: For the observant this is not a 2UZ 100 series or an LX470. It is a 2003 Sequoia. But I asked this question in that forum and didn't get an answer. So I thought I would sneak into here and see what people think. Hopefully I will not get into too much trouble.

 

[3_puppies]

250K on the starter?
it may just be time to replace

 

[TahoeZ]

Test voltage at starter contacts 1-at rest, 2-while cranking.

That condition is typical of a failing starter for the 2UZ.

 

[sjpitts]

250K on the starter?
it may just be time to replace

I agree with this -- although with these starts being under the intake manifold it does seem like more work than average.

 

[sjpitts]

Test voltage at starter contacts 1-at rest, 2-while cranking.

That condition is typical of a failing starter for the 2UZ.

Can you test the voltage at the contacts with the starter under the manifold? Or do you have to remove the manifold? Or more?

Once I get the manifold off I think I will be inclined just to replace the starter-- given how slow I am at doing things like this it seems foolish to leave a 23 year old starter under there.

 

[TahoeZ]

Have to remove the manifold. Remanufactured starters from the dealer are reasonable. Check out Serra Toyota. 20% off right now. Because t still check wiring and voltage while you’re working in there.

 

[3_puppies]

starter, intake manifold gaskets, the connectors may break, maybe do the knock sensor under the intake also, maybe the cross tube gasket/orings

the idea of planning this out is better than a tow, as your not going to replace this in a supermarket parking lot like many other engines

 

[sjpitts]

starter, intake manifold gaskets, the connectors may break, maybe do the knock sensor under the intake also, maybe the cross tube gasket/orings

the idea of planning this out is better than a tow, as your not going to replace this in a supermarket parking lot like many other engines

I ordered a reman'd starter from Toyota.

I thought about also ordering the intake manifold gaskets and the other gaskets and o-rings but I didn't. And I didn't order any connectors or knock sensors.

Do you think I should have? What is the chance I would need that stuff? I read that intake gaskets are usually ok.

But maybe I should just replace things like knock sensors just because I will be in there and it is easy to do.

What do you think? Are there things that you would definitely replace "while you are in there" even if they are not a problem now?

 

[sjpitts]

I did some searching and found this parts list from cruiserpatch

in addition to the starter, they sell a kit with these:

• Starter connector (1x): 90980-11400
• Knock Sensor Connectors (2x): 90980-11166
• Coolant sender connector (1x): 90980-11062 (90980-10737)
• Temp sensor connector (1x): 90980-11428
• Engine Intake Manifold Gaskets (2x): 17171-50020
• Front & rear water bypass gaskets (4x): 16341-50020
• OEM bolt w/ washer (2x): 90119-10597 ( 90105-10244)

I can't decide if that is excessive, or just being thorough.

 

[3_puppies]

it is up to you what you change, at 250,000 miles my WAG is most connectors will be brittle
the time to remove the intake again if 1 of the other parts fails in short time
I wouldn't re-use intake gaskets
I would buy it all and have it on hand, can the parts be returned?
does a sequoia have heater T's?

clean the intake area before disassembling
do not remove the intake unless all debris is removed

 

[GTV]

Connectors are a must. They will crumble.
Gaskets aren’t mandatory but this is not a job you want to do twice.
Definitely do the heater T’s if they haven’t been done.

 

[sjpitts]

it is up to you what you change, at 250,000 miles my WAG is most connectors will be brittle
the time to remove the intake again if 1 of the other parts fails in short time
I wouldn't re-use intake gaskets
I would buy it all and have it on hand, can the parts be returned?
does a sequoia have heater T's?

clean the intake area before disassembling
do not remove the intake unless all debris is removed

Connectors are a must. They will crumble.
Gaskets aren’t mandatory but this is not a job you want to do twice.
Definitely do the heater T’s if they haven’t been done.

So is your advice to buy all "connectors" in the list above ahead of time? These?

• Starter connector (1x): 90980-11400
• Knock Sensor Connectors (2x): 90980-11166
• Coolant sender connector (1x): 90980-11062 (90980-10737)
• Temp sensor connector (1x): 90980-11428

 

[vipergrhd]

So is your advice to buy all "connectors" in the list above ahead of time? These?

• Starter connector (1x): 90980-11400
• Knock Sensor Connectors (2x): 90980-11166
• Coolant sender connector (1x): 90980-11062 (90980-10737)
• Temp sensor connector (1x): 90980-11428

Are these number same for all 100 series? Thank you.

 

[sjpitts]

Are these number same for all 100 series? Thank you.

I can't verify that myself, but that is what cruiserpatch says: starter kit

 

[jerryb]

Are these number same for all 100 series? Thank you.

definately not- ALL 100. Going to be same for all non vvti but some will be different for vvti. Knock S being the only reason I'm writing anything.