Turn key and nothing...

[stonepa]

My 98 hundy is finally giving me problems after 300k miles. Got in this morning, turned the key, all the lights came on like usual, and then nothing. Starter didn't turn, no solenoid clicking, nothing but silence. I drive it every day and a couple of times earlier this week it did this but started up when I tried a second time, with no issues. I figured I just wasn't paying attention but boy oh boy I know I am now! Is this the dreaded starter contact issue? When I read through all the threads on the forum it looks like those issues are different than what I am experiencing. Maybe it is something else completely.

Any ideas before I start tearing apart ?

 

[ENGINE er]

too bad we cant access our starters with a hammer....

but this does sound like starter contacts. I would go to toyota and get a new starter and parts to rebuild the one you have to keep as a spare.

Lots of write ups on how to do this.

 

[Ole Colony]

My starter went out about a month ago. Try turning the key multiple times. At first it would start with two or three clicks then over a couple of days it took ten or so.

 

[stonepa]

Thanks. Any idea what something like this costs at a Toyota dealer? I replaced the starter for another reason at 72k but that was 13 years ago.

Can you do just the starter contacts or should I go ahead and spring for an entire new starter?

This doesn't sound like a fun job to do during winter given the location of the starter.

 

[Ole Colony]

I use a mechanic who is a fellow member of Bayou State Land Cruisers. It was about $700 with a toyota rebuilt starter.

 

[rhino8005]

Try replace the EFI fuse (replace it even if it looks/test good) before you tear into the starter.

 

[ENGINE er]

I dont recall the cost. Its not a hard job at all. The intake removal is pretty simple.

I would go ahead and replace the whole thing.

 

[Ole Colony]

Toyota reman starter $250, intake gaskets $50 and labor was $375.

 

[LX101North]

You should just try getting the contacts and plunger from Cruiserdan. Just over $40.00 in parts. I didn't even have to replace my gasket. I am a total amateur and I did this job a little over a month ago. It was real simple and it gives you a chance to do a little spring cleaning. Clean the throttle body, MAF sensor. I personally wouldn't buy a remanufactured starter if I had a perfectly good one. Not sure if contacts are the problem, but if so, just go for it. Save $$$.

 

[Slickspawn]

I should search before posting, but were there good writeups on the process?

 

[LX101North]

There are a ton of great write ups on the process. Also, in the 2004 service manual, there is step by step instructions on how to change out the contacts.

 

[scottm]

I've changed the starter contacts on my 80s several times, and now on my 100. The write ups in the sticky at the top of this 100-section are very good, cover it well, saved me a lot of time.