I am starting to have a bit of trouble with the starter on my T100 3.0L V6.

At times when I turn the key, I hear the solenoid click but, the starter motor won't fly. After the click if I hold the key the clock and dash lights will dim, so power is going somewhere. If I keep trying sooner of later the starter will kick in and then it seems fine.

As the battery was old I replaced it and I still have the same problem every now and then and the frequency is getting higher.

I'm thinking starter or solenoid. Is it worth taking the state apart and cleaning the commutator. Will a dealer have new brushes or do I just need to forget about trying to solve the problem and just replace the starter? Could the solenoid be corroded and just not sending enough current to the motor?

Autozone has starters for about 150 with the core.

L

1. It is worth to take the starter apart. The wear items are the contacts and plunger.

2. The dealership should have the parts (not sure if the dealership nearest you will have them in stock though).

3. Could be...but not likely. The most common problem with the starters are the contacts wearing out over time.

4. Time is money...if you don't have the time to do it...it will cost you more money. Besides...you'll be giving up yer stock Toyota starter fer some cheap starter that will give you problems down the road as they aren't build like the original one. Of course...if yer starter is all beat up from wheeling... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Psst...this thread will point you in the right directions fer rebuilding yer own starter. About $20... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

A few other threads out there that include detail piccies, do's/don'ts, and part numbers... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=241172
http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/105626-here-toyota-part-s-starter-rebuild.html
http://www.team-integra.net/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=15&TopicID=123037
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#OnlineOrdering

There even may be a starter rebuild company near you so if yer not into doing this yerself, they can rebuild yer starter fer a little bit more money. Fer example...here's one near me...
http://www.a-alternator.com/

Thanks for all the good information.

I removed the starter today. The 2 bolts holding it in were about the worst 2 bolts to get to I have seen in a long time.

After taking off the ends of the solenoid and armature section, it really looks like the issue is the copper parts passing the current through to the brushes. Very worn and pitted. The input side has half of the material worn away, same for the round center section between the contacts (don't know it's real name). The brushes and commutator look fine.

Found an alternator/starter/electrical shop here and will show it to them and see if they have parts.

Many seem to say rebuild it as the replacements are not very good. Strange, not much to these things and if they are built from returned Toyota cores they should come out about the same.

Funny thing this is the first started I have had go bad since owning a 1970 Ford Bronco. Went through a couple of those. Have put over 1 million total miles on 5 Subarus since 1977 and never a starter.

The Toyota went 16 years so, no complaints other then they could have made it easier to get to.

Thanks again.

L

The Toyota dealer up on my end of the planet runs their pulled starters and alternators down to the local automotive rebuild place. Ya keep your Toyota armatures that way.

Never hurts to stop by the local NAPA for cursory bench check before tossing them back in either. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Being's I live about 26 miles from the nearest one, I sure hate to recreationally hitchhike back into town!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Always good advice here.

I found a rebuild shop in Salt Lake. They replaced all the parts, brushes, solenoid contacts, plunger etc. Cost 90 bucks and I know exactly what I put back in the truck.

Thats the way to go. I could have done the rebuild myself for less but as someone said time is money. The had it done in 3 hours. I also now know of another good shop to do business with.

L