Starter Terminal Kit (1 Viewer)

[Shinichi]

I am about to attempt to repair our starter. My question is about the plunger. Should I replace it too? Our Toyota dealer has one in stock, ours has a lot of miles/years on it, and I am going to have it apart already. (I think I am answering my own question) However, every penny counts. If the plunger simply does not wear out, I will keep it.

 

[Koffer]

Replace it as its the part that bridges the high amp contacts so it will be pitted and worn just as the others

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I recently did my contacts and replaced the plunger as well. It has to be a wearable part and you have everything out and apart so you might as well.

 

[Kernal]

I have a plunger with over 200,000 miles on it and by the eyeball test it has 75% of it's thickness still present even though the contacts were worn out. It had the typical pitting but I sanded that smooth in a few minutes. I think it could have easily been put back in for another 200,000 miles, but I went ahead and bought a new one.

 

[cruiserdan]

Putting a used plunger back in with new contacts is like taking a shower and then putting your dirty shorts back on.

 

[operatorTRP]

Putting a used plunger back in with new contats is like taking a shower and then putting your dirty shorts back on.

Sage advice!

AWESOME!

 

[86tuning]

on low mileage cars you can often wire wheel the copper disc on the plunger and re-use it the first time. 2nd time around you'd better replace that thing.

IMO it's only an hour to do it again, so figure out what your time is worth before buying parts. We stock all the different shapes of toyota contacts. Most of the time we change only one contact if the other one is at 95+% service life.

YMMV

 

[Shinichi]

I hope that it is a quick change for me like most seem to say it is. After 235k I think I will replace both terminals and the plunger, unless the plunger is ridiculously expensive. I will post up results and costs tomorrow when its all finished up.

I will also remember to change my pants after a shower.

 

[firetruck41]

After 235k I think I will replace both terminals and the plunger, unless the plunger is ridiculously expensive.

IIRC, contacts and plunger are around $20.

 

[cruiserdan]

IIRC, contacts and plunger are around $20.

It's closer to ~45 bucks. Contacts alone are in the 20 dollar range.

 

[Shinichi]

$70 for a left and a right terminal kit, and a plunger. Once I got to the parts that were being replaced I was very happy that I got everything. The hardest part of this little project was getting the upper bolt out, and back in, for the starter.

Thanks for all the advice and comments...