I used to work fire control on BUFFS when we still did the maintenance on the .50 cals in backshop and all that (321x1G). Was at Wurtsmith.

You be dayum careful with that space heater. Da wife don't need to find you cherry red in the floor with carbon monoxide poisoning. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Don't be burnin things to the ground either, or you'll be standing there lookin like this <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

You can pull that back case off with a little PB Blaster to help it along to check the contact wear and clean things up a bit too. Remember to inspect and clean the cabling.

Dis-a-connect-a battery, eh?

Good time to change oil too, as the inner nut can be accessed a little easier with the filter out of the way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

its your solenoid getting stuck happens on every starter that starts to go not just toyota's get it bench tested work through teh wheel well so you dont have to lay on snow

on the back of the starter there's a "first base" looking cover plate held on by 3 8mm bolt headed screws.
pull the cover plate off, pull the solenoid actuation plunger out, coat the shaft with lithium and out it back in. that should resolve your starter sticking issues.
if you still have problems, you will need to pull the starter and grease the gear box

Ok well today I'm going to fiddle with it. Thanks everyone for the ideas. On a side note Kewlynx, what have you learned to do to your rig to keep it tip top in the winter time up there in Alaska, any other tips or tricks?? Vehicles sure do strange things when its 20 below I've found out, things they dont normally do. Alot of wierd noises and groans. Thanks again.

Matt

I tell ppl that living in Alaska past -25*F, the stuff you should've learned in your 6th grade science class applies.

In a nutshell, preventative maintenance is EVERYTHING. This should be done either just before or just after hunting season. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Tuneup
Lube/repack job
Fix oddball stuff
Inventory spare road stuff for behind the seat and survival stuff. The toolkit I use rides with me all year. I try and keep some spare goodies in the shed or on the pallet parts store. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Check battery condition, connectors; [color:"brown"] check your coolant for proper mix for temps! [/color] . This one will leave you by the road if you don't check it.
Clean/lube spare tire system
Inspect/repair CV axle boots as needed

I also try to go into winter with a clean engine, so I can catch any cold weather leaks and that kind of thing, so a VISUAL INSPECTION on a REGULAR BASIS (once a week) is also EVERYTHING.

Plastics are your squeakers; not a lot you can do there. I ride with the radio off when it's real cold, so as to listen to the truck. I'm the original owner of Ol' Blue, so something that my ears think isn't right usually is not.
Tires like to go a little flat past -20, so I overinflate them a bit to 40 psi, and I haven't ridden off the bead yet. You ride like Fred Flintstone until they warm up.

HOWEVER, let the neighbor's dog pee on the rim at -50, and you're changing a flat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Toss a tarp over where it covers the grille, wheelwells, and vent. More efficient warm up.

Give yourself 15-30 minutes of extra time to go somewhere. Gives the truck a chance to warm up, and for you to not exceed your driving conditions.
Don't overdrive your headlights. Moose and bambis happen.
Let the high type A mo-fo pass you and do the trooper and bullwinkle sweep instead. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

Just common sense stuff there Vern!!

Well I pulled the starter and lubed up the solenoid plunger a little and cleaned everything, contacts were a little worn. Come to find out my starter was only held on by 1 bolt, outstanding right <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />? Well the last time the starter was off for anything was when it was at the toyota stealership getting the motor rebuilt 2 years ago, absolutely amazing... damn mechanic <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />. So anyways it seemed to start a little easier and "snappier" I guess you could say. But, I'll let it sit over night at -15 and see if it sticks on again in the morning. Thanks again for the input guys.

Matt

Well cool. Pop by NAPA and get another bolt; 14mm x 1.25 I believe. There's just enough torque there when that engages that it'll walk the cog out of alignment again. I take it the teeth weren't too badly worn. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Well the teeth weren't worn hardly at all so I must have got lucky. It didnt stick on the this morning so that was great. Hopefully that resolved this issue for good. However now that I think back I should have just replaced the contacts while I was in there to save me some trouble down the road. Oh well, not really a bad job anyways taking the starter out. Thanks Kewlynx, Merry Christmas.

Matt