Have you had STARTER problems?

[grofva]

I recently started having a problem on my 2000 Tundra V8 where the first turn of the key acts like a dead battery. I can turn it back and crank it again with no problem and she starts right up.

Has anyone replaced their starter or does anyone know can the contacts only be replaced? The local dealer quoted me $750 to replace the whole starter.

[akauth]

Originally posted by grofva
I recently started having a problem on my 2000 Tundra V8 where the first turn of the key acts like a dead battery. I can turn it back and crank it again with no problem and she starts right up.

Has anyone replaced their starter or does anyone know can the contacts only be replaced? The local dealer quoted me $750 to replace the whole starter.

When I had 80 watt bulbs in my headlight and fogs and turned those on all the time I would run into a problem like that. Not dead, but like a bad starter.

I actually had the dealer replace it and it went away for a while. But it came back later. Only happened once in a while sometimes hot, sometimes stone cold.

Then I started turning off the fogs and I've got 55 watt bulbs in there and still no problem. Turned the fogs back on and saw the problem again. Left them off and no problem.

I'm guessing that it has more to do with the batter not holding enough voltage but not being bad enough to replace.

It might be a weak relay or even a contact in the key itself.

Same thing though. On - no start. Back off and redo it and it's fine. Eventually I got to the point that I had to return up to 6 times - that's when they replaced the starter with a new one.

Didn't solve the problem though.


Alan

[Don H]

My wife's 81 Corolla did the same thing last spring. I did notice that it only acted up after it sat for awhile, like over night. Turned out to be the battery.

BTW
That quote of $750, did it include the new starter and labor? A long time ago on this site it was stated the the cost of replacing the V8 starter at a dealer was $1500.

[akauth]

Originally posted by Don H
My wife's 81 Corolla did the same thing last spring. I did notice that it only acted up after it sat for awhile, like over night. Turned out to be the battery.

BTW
That quote of $750, did it include the new starter and labor? A long time ago on this site it was stated the the cost of replacing the V8 starter at a dealer was $1500.

The reason it's so expensive is the labor. The starter itself probably is outrageously expensive too ($200, $300) but you have to remove the intake manifold as the starter is between the cylinder banks smack in the upper rear center of the engine.

It's a LOT of labor. Man, you don't want that thing going out. I don't know why they didn't move it for Tundra and the Landcruiser because you have room to put it somewhere else for sure.

They could have redone the mounts I'm sure. Maybe it would have been too much. It will be a real poke in the eye when those start going out. Even if it's only due to brushes!!!


Alan

[v8Toilet]

Originally posted by akauth
I don't know why they didn't move it for Tundra and the Landcruiser because you have room to put it somewhere else for sure.

Alan

It would cost Toyota big bucks to relocate that starter.

[rgerdes]

First check all the electrical connections at the battery and on the starter. Second the reason the starter was located under the intake is that the starter stays much cooler and lasts longer. Under the hot exhaust manifolds shorten the life of the starters. On previous Lexus models this starter lived for well over 100-125,000 miles. Third the problem your describing may be the stud contact that your battery cable attachs to on the starter. Previous years starters on certain Toyota models had this wear problem. These contacts were available for these starters and that was all that needed to be replaced. You would have to check with a dealer to see if these contacts are available. If they stock them then they are replacing them. Also check to see if the dealership stocks the starter as that would be another indication that the starter maybe experiencing failure. Most dealers don't stock any parts that don't sell a least 3 times in twelve months.

[akauth]

Originally posted by rgerdes
First check all the electrical connections at the battery and on the starter. Second the reason the starter was located under the intake is that the starter stays much cooler and lasts longer. Under the hot exhaust manifolds shorten the life of the starters. On previous Lexus models this starter lived for well over 100-125,000 miles. Third the problem your describing may be the stud contact that your battery cable attachs to on the starter. Previous years starters on certain Toyota models had this wear problem. These contacts were available for these starters and that was all that needed to be replaced. You would have to check with a dealer to see if these contacts are available. If they stock them then they are replacing them. Also check to see if the dealership stocks the starter as that would be another indication that the starter maybe experiencing failure. Most dealers don't stock any parts that don't sell a least 3 times in twelve months.

You know, I'd rather have a starter that I knew was going to have to be replaced at 100k miles rather than where they put it.

Even if was at 80k miles I'd still swap locations. Too, if they had to be rebuilt a lot, the rebuilt starters actually get a lot cheaper. The labor on a starter change for that engine bay *should* be 15 minutes, maybe a half hour instead of a 4 hour job.

If I did it myself I could replace 4 starters in a "standard" location for one done by the dealer in it's current location. Unless those starters last 300,000-400,000 miles it doesn't make sense. You *know* it's going to go out and is a "wear" item.

You *know* that the starter is going to go out even if it's only brushes that need to be replaced and I do think they could have done a better job of locating that starter (unless they designed it so it's a lifetime part which is very unlikely).

Alan

[cbur1551]

My 2000 4runner is having the *exact* problem when starting. Sometimes it starts right up, sometime it just gives a click like the battery is dead. I know that's not the case as I replaced it last year. It started doing this when I replaced the battery and the battery posts, which were totally corroded. This battery was suggested and purchased at AZ. I used a temporary fix on the negative post, but today I put a brand new post connector and used corrosive cleaner on both of them. Now it only starts after about 100 attempts and is getting quite painful. My gut tells me it's a connection problem, but called a mechanic and he went right for the starter. (ugh expensive!) Any suggestions? If I can get it started, I'm going to do the diagnostic test at Autozone. I just cannot afford the new starter plus labor right now. Thankz!

[derone]

Its the solenoid contacts within the starter. There are part numbers in one of the previous posts on this issue. Gaskets and parts will run <$75.

[Derek24]

Count me in too. This only happens once in a while like twice a month for the last 6 months now. It will click, click, start half way, turn the key again and will start just fine. It only sems to do it when it has been sitting for a while (overnight) or if I'm listening to music while the truck is off. Is this the starter or does this sound like a battery problem, I'm praying its a battery problem. Also if it is the starter is there anyone or anyhow I can do this myself. Thanks.