[ejsharp]

Why do some 2000 Tundra starters go for 200,000 miles or more while others only go for 38,000 miles before they develop the same problem (Worn copper contacts)?

My guess is that it has to do with where the trucks were assembled. Maybe different suppliers provided parts of unequal durability or strength. It could be because of variations of the alloy used for the copper contacts (hardness) or it could be the strength of the magnetic field that drives the solenoid's piston up against the copper contacts. Too strong of an electric field would cause the solenoid's piston to hit the copper contacts harder thus wearing them out sooner.

We should do a survey among 2000 Tundra owners and ask where their vehicles were manufactured. If we could prove that the failed starters all have parts from a unique supplier, then we would have a legitimate claim against the manufacturer of our trucks. Manufacturing location is coded within the VIN number of our trucks. (serial number).

Anybody game for the survey?