Starter acting up in the 80, rebuild or replace...

[Mtbcoach]

The starter in the 80 is acting up. Getting the "click" but nothing else. It's been random, not failing to start. Now, it's a problem.

Can get the reman for $130 (Advanced), or should I get the parts and rebuild myself? Looking at the rebuild threads makes it look easy but I have a way of making things more difficult.

I'm going oit to take the starter off, anything I should do to verify that it really is just the starter and not something else?

Thanks in advance...

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

I'd get the reman, but them again, I'm friggin lazy

Is it a click, as in no engagement altogether, or click as it tries to engage but doesn't turn.

I had the latter happen, the plunger would stick every now and then, a little lube fixed that. Might be the solenoid crapping out, battery crapping out?. Electrical stuff is like the "White Man's Magic" to me

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I went an bought a reman one from the Dealer and am keeping my other to rebuild it here soon so i will have an extra. A thought for you also.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I'd get the reman, but them again, I'm friggin lazy

Is it a click, as in no engagement altogether, or click as it tries to engage but doesn't turn.

I had the latter happen, the plunger would stick every now and then, a little lube fixed that. Might be the solenoid crapping out, battery crapping out?. Electrical stuff is like the "White Man's Magic" to me

Battery is good, always starts quickly once the starter turns.

It clicks (with authority), sounds to me like the solenoid is engaging the starter, just not spinning. Its a loud and significant click, metal hitting metal kind of thing.

I went an bought a reman one from the Dealer and am keeping my other to rebuild it here soon so i will have an extra. A thought for you also.

My thoughts exactly. The core charge is $65 though, hmmm...

 

[Mtbcoach]

Got it out, what a PIA. as Mikaela said, "with such a big truck, you'd think it wouldn't be so tight". Thankfully, I could squeeze the impact into the space to get things loose.

Took the starter apart, nothing obvious. Definitely the plunger making the "click" sound. Probably smarter to replace but I'm not the smartest when it comes to such things...

 

[little_joe]

Contacts wear out, I'd get a set and install them, clean things up, and put the stock one back in. Unless of course you and Mikaela need it back on the road today/tomorrow. I'd also check the voltage at the starter, while you are getting the good click, under spec voltage can engage the solenoid but not provide enough juice to fire the starter.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Agreed, just looking for the parts now. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out how long to get them in. We can manage without, its just that she is "free" and well into being "done with HS and into that summer before going to college" mode.

Part 2...does it make sense to continue and do the PHH? Reading through the many threads, some say do it, others say, if it aint broke...

 

[77cruiser]

PIA is right. I replaced it on my old 80 and I wasnt aware i could bend my arm in such ways or fit my hand in such small spaces. they really put it in a difficult place. Prob the reason i did the hammer tap trick on before i finally just had to replace it.

 

[Mtbcoach]

I'm doing the PHH for sure. Looking through all the various PHH threads, I'd be stupid not to.

Ive torn down and cleaned up the starter Looking at the contacts relative to other posted pics, mine look just as bad. I've got to find the parts still, will be on the phone in the morning to see who has what and how long to get them into my grubby hands...

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Hope it's ok to post on your club thread.

This is a very common problem as you know and super easy to fix. So replace the contacts AND the plunger. The whole kit is $20 or so from Cruiserdan.

Any auto electrical place will have the contacts, but get them from Toyota. The reason is that the Toyota ones come with new seals, new insulators, new hardware and new o-rings. That way you'll be repairing to OEM spec.

Good call on the PHH.

My brother lives in Charlotte and drives a 200 series. Don't know if that's close to you or not.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Hope it's ok to post on your club thread.

This is a very common problem as you know and super easy to fix. So replace the contacts AND the plunger. The whole kit is $20 or so from Cruiserdan.

Any auto electrical place will have the contacts, but get them from Toyota. The reason is that the Toyota ones come with new seals, new insulators, new hardware and new o-rings. That way you'll be repairing to OEM spec.

Good call on the PHH.

My brother lives in Charlotte and drives a 200 series. Don't know if that's close to you or not.

Of course and thanks for the feedback. We have a sponsorship with our local dealer and I'll see what he can do for me when they open tomorrow.

We have many active club members in Charlotte, its about 3 hours from here. He'd be more than welcome to join us if he feels like getting his 200 dirty..

 

[ncduckman]

I got my contacts and plunger from Chris as Fred Anderson a while back. It takes a day, maybe two, to get the parts. It is pretty easy to do.

Here are the part numbers:

28226-66060 Contact Kit $11.27
28226-72010 Contact Kit $11.27
28235-54380 Plunger $22.78

 

[Mtbcoach]

I got my contacts and plunger from Chris as Fred Anderson a while back. It takes a day, maybe two, to get the parts. It is pretty easy to do.

Here are the part numbers:

28226-66060 Contact Kit $11.27
28226-72010 Contact Kit $11.27
28235-54380 Plunger $22.78

Nice, thanks for the part numbers...

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Just did my PHH. The hose was not bad at all. But the getting to it and replacing it was a pain. I had the starter still on though. I have done so much work to this 80 now.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Got the kits ordered per the part numbers above, arrive tomorrow morning. Nobody else could come up with everything. Also had to order the hose and clamps from NAPA, arrive tomorrow morning also. Good thing the wife is on a business trip so we have another vehicle for the girls to use.

Still good delivery in getting everything in a day from both Fred Anderson and NAPA...

 

[strong_toy]

Hi Jerry,

I would rebuild the starter, but if you want to just replace it, I have an aftermarket Bosch starter that I pulled off my 80 after I bought it. It works fine, but I wanted the Denso starter. Give me a call if you are interested in it. I'll make you a good deal..

 

[Mtbcoach]

Hi Jerry,

I would rebuild the starter, but if you want to just replace it, I have an aftermarket Bosch starter that I pulled off my 80 after I bought it. It works fine, but I wanted the Denso starter. Give me a call if you are interested in it. I'll make you a good deal..

Will do. I failed in my attempt to rebuild. Took my time, greased everything, torqued it all down, same symptom.

On a positive note, got the PHH done. New silicon hose and the "constant torque" SS clamps. Followed the Slee directions, used plenty of silicon spray and it all slid I to place.

But, back to the starter...

 

[little_joe]

Jerry I'd go back and check what voltage you're getting at the starter - battery may be weak, cable may be bad.

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I agree with Joe.

Replaced all my cables on most of my cruiser's now with my own home made ones and what a difference.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Thanks Clint

Clint hand delivered his back up last night, just had the time to put it in. Fired up first shot.

I did use the FJC in "rescue" mode, using both batteries to jump it before I swapped them, no go. I think there is a short in the windings, when Clint was over, we tried it then and he thought he saw a puff of smoke and the ground wires felt warm to me.

So, all is good for today, owe Clint for the back-up starter, hmmm...