Toyota Starter failing

[MaximaGuy]

My Highlander stranded me today - first time.
The starter went out and wanted to know do I go with OEM manufactured ($330) vs. Autozone Duralast Gold ($175).
Relatively simple job, pl. let me know either of the two.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Get a Denso reman starter

 

[KneeGrinder]

Might try and trouble shoot the solenoid by jumping it, you might be able to save your self some $$$ unless you have already done that.

 

[clinebarger]

Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!

 

[aquariuscsm]

Have your oem starter rebuilt.

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!


This. More than likely that's all it needs.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!


Old timer showed me how to turn the contact around to the other side that was not burnt. We had it out of the car with jumper cables hooked to it, and it worked good after we moved the contact. Plunger was fine. He was a tight wad, and it cost zero dollars to fix it.

That starter fix was for an older GM starter, so not sure it would work for later model Toyota.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: 02SE
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!


This. More than likely that's all it needs.


More than likely what it is. The repair kits are cheap, and cost around $10 and up.

 

[wag123]

Denso starters are very durable. Check your battery when you are done. A battery with a shorted cell will take out a starter solenoid and/or starter. Ask me how I know.

 

[MaximaGuy]

Originally Posted By: KneeGrinder
Might try and trouble shoot the solenoid by jumping it, you might be able to save your self some $$$ unless you have already done that.


Yes, the AAA guy came and tried that w/ his hammer. He broke the contactor, now all the worse needs replacement.

 

[Driz]

Get it rebuilt by a local starter shop!!! I haven’t bought / replaced a starter on anything since the 80s and I have plenty of toys. They do a better job than a remanufacturer at 1/3 the price. Last one I did cost me $55. For Alternators do exactly the same. I’ve never paid more than $75 for any alternator or starter rebuild and that includes big tractors from the 50s right up to modern cars and trucks.

You’ll find that the big outfits sometimes leave

not quite out of spec parts like bearings in there while the local guy, unless he’s a thief will do it right!

 

[funflyer]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!




Assuming all the cables/battery are clean and tight, this is the first thing I'd do. Then if it still has a problem the ignition switch would be the next probable cause. My 01 Tacoma's original starter was acting up a few years ago, so I decided to rebuild it, but after disassembly all I found it needed was the solenoid plunger/contacts replaced. The brushes, gears and bearings were still in excellent shape.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!


Where do you buy these parts and rebuild kits?

I never see them listed at rockauto, parts store websites, etc. Dealer?

 

[supton]

Originally Posted By: MarkM66
Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Replace the plunger & contacts & return to service!


Where do you buy these parts and rebuild kits?

I never see them listed at rockauto, parts store websites, etc. Dealer?


Try here:
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/
I've bought from them before, no complaints. Probably other places. At the very least, you should be able to look up the part, find the p/n, then see if you can ebay or amazon or whatever for best price.

 

[MaximaGuy]

I finally went with OEM Denso starter $279+tax (not rebuilt which my stealership wanted to sell for $333 incl. taxes).
My repair shop wouldn't warranty OTC parts for labor, personally didn't want to take shortcuts on starter, it should with ZERO failure day-in and day-out.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

What slack said.