Starter is acting up in the cold

[KANE]

My starter is acting up in the cold. The first turn of the key and it makes that horrible starter noise and doesn't turn the motor. The second time it turns and starts. This only happens when it is cold outside. I had this same issue on my old 97 Collector's edition and had the starter guy replace the brushes or something. I took this current starter out and had the starter guy inspect it and he couldn't find anything wrong with it (it isn't a factory Toyota unit). Any ideas? If need be where should I get a new starter from that won't break the bank? Thanks.

Besides these little issues, my Lex is the same great machine I fell in love with years ago...except for these gas prices.

 

[Kernal]

How did the starter guy check the starter? A Toyota starter is the best way to go if you decide to buy a replacement, around $200 with discount.

 

[LFD2037]

Brushes. Rebuild kit is about $30.

 

[half k cruiser]

Since its not OEM the rebuild is out. Are you sure its the starter and not your battery ? Its that special time of year when battery's start acting up. If your certain its the starter you might give cruiseryard.com a try. Last I checked they had used factory remanufactured units for $90 or so. Sometimes they run deals on there stuff.

 

[Otamiway]

Since its not OEM the rebuild is out. Are you sure its the starter and not your battery ? Its that special time of year when battery's start acting up. If your certain its the starter you might give cruiseryard.com a try. Last I checked they had used factory remanufactured units for $90 or so. Sometimes they run deals on there stuff.

X2 on this...

Check your wire and battery.. you will get a clacking sound with a weak battery.

How did you check the starter and did they check the battery?

GL

 

[livinoffroad]

It's either low batt voltage, or dirty or worn starter contacts. Low voltage/amperage can be caused by resistance in the cable path. After all, it's only 12 volts. Try removing your batt cable terminals, brushing the batt posts, and cable terminals with a $1 batt terminal brush, replacing the cable ends, and spraying the assembly with a corrosion preventer. This is common in fall or winter, with low temps, and moisture condensing. I used to go thru an entire fleet of semi trucks every fall, cleaning the batt terminals, to prepare for winter.

 

[george_tlc]

My starter is acting up in the cold. The first turn of the key and it makes that horrible starter noise and doesn't turn the motor ...

WHAT noise?? Screeching/banshee noise is likely the bendix, not the contacts/plunger.

If so, buy a recon FACTORY unit through Beno/Cdan etc. At least you'll have a known animal that can be maintained with factory parts.

cheers,
george.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Hmm, can you describe the noise?

Solenoid "click" with no crank?

Gear grinding/screeching as if you were to crank after the engine has already started?

Starter spinning/screeching, but motor not cranking over?



Like george said, it may be the Bendix/Clutch assembly

Cold starts are usually much harder on the clutch and it will only get worse

I get the same problem in my Road Runner (hi-comp 440ci) and I'm using a Jap style mini starter for header clearance.

I've had to replace it twice in the last year due to the clutches giving up

 

[half k cruiser]

"could you describe the ruckus" ?

 

[packetstormin]

I think you are having an issue with your plunger. Mine does the same thing sometimes. I just live with it.

What happens is the plunger gets stuck.