Topic: Starter Questions

[IVrunner]

I was driving down the 101 the other day with the beach cruisers loaded on the hitch mount bike rack when a bump popped one half off.  The wife and I immediately pulled off to fix it.  I needed to pull the keys out of the ignition to unlock the bikes from the rack, but since the cars on the highway were flying by we decided it was best to remount the bike off the exit that was a couple hundred feet up the road.  I told the wife to hop in and i'll meet here there with the bike.  She said it wouldn't start, so knowing the little quarks of an old yota I went to the passenger side to explain to either push the clutch in ALL the way or hit the clutch cancel button or wiggle the steering wheel to unlock it, etc.  Not believing her, I said "i'll just do it"...well she was right.   ...my starter went out...out of the blue...on the side of the highway.  So, what else to do to get home besides pop start it on the shoulder of the 101 with the wife pushing me.

So needless to say, I need a fix.  I have an 87 4runner with a stock 22RE.  I began by testing the starter relay and it seems to be working fine.  Then, I took off the starter and tested it off the car and it is engaging, but not spinning.  I would rather rebuild the one I have then buy a crappy "rebuilt" one, but what does it mean when it engages but does not spin?  New brushes or new solenoid contacts??  According to Napa, the only "new" starter is in Maine and $120 plus shipping.   Also, since I bought this truck used I have no idea if the starter is a stock Denso.  Is there a stamp or something to determine what brand it is?  All I see is an old, illegible barcode on mine.  The reason I'm worried is because i think it only makes sense to rebuild a true Denso model. 

[emsvitil]

Post a picture


The starter not engaging may be a bad connection or cable...........

[IVrunner [OP]]

Like I mentioned, the starter is engaging, but not spinning.  

I haven't had a chance to doublecheck all the connections, but my optima red top is less than a year old and when I installed it i installed new terminal posts and a new negative ground wire.  When I took off the starter I noticed there was some oil on it (i have an oil leak coming from a seal in the front i think??), so I took some wire dry spray and cleaned the small wire only...the other ones have the rubber cover.  All connections were tight.

Here are the pictures:

[IVrunner [OP]]

So, I put the starter back on and tested the voltage at the solenoid control wire using 4crawler's tip http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#OnlineOrdering and got about 7 volts while cranking with a 12 volts at the battery.  Using the clutch cancel switch produced the same result.  He says on there that the solenoid voltage should be within .5 volts of the battery.  Well as you can see, it is not.  It's possible now that it could be the ignition switch.  How can I test the ignition switch?

Also, can anyone recognize the starter I have?

[santa cruz crawler]

All L43 L52 W56  use the same starter!

[IVrunner [OP]]

its a W56, but i'm more concerned with the brand.  I don't want to spend money and effort on rebuilding some crap replacement.

[yota4x4sc]

next time ur stuck like that tap/bash the side of the starter and it will start up..have someone keep tappin the key while u do this

[IVrunner [OP]]

I did that when we were on the side of the road and I just tried that a second time in the garage today...nothing.  I'm starting to think its not the starter at all and maybe the starter relay or ignition switch...

[yota4x4sc]

sometimes u gotta tap for days and all around it..it happened to my buddy yesterday..i was tappin on it for like 10 min haha

[GLarsen]

I think I now whats wrong, but i don't remember what it's called in english
But I hope this will help you, it is in norwegian, but look at the pics
http://www.forum.h4k.no/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4681

[4RunnerChevy]

That plunger, and contacts are usually the problem.  You can build up the contacts and surface the plunger, I am sure there is a kit somewhere. 

[THK Matt]

new contacts are hella cheap!

[motormouth559]

I got a good 22re starter $30 shipped to you pm me if interested

[IVrunner [OP]]

Thanks for the comments so far everyone!

I diagnosed the starter relay and its giving me some weird readings.  According to the FSM, with no power from the battery to terminals ST and E there should be no continuity between tB and Mg terminals.  But when you put power to terminals ST and E there should be continuity between tB and Mg terminals.  

When I test this I get no reading at all when there is no power from the battery and when there is power from the battery it immediately gives me a reading then drops to zero and stays there.  So, do you think my relay is bad?  It clicks every time I put power to it and take power from it...and also every time I try to start it when its all installed.  If it's bad I can get good used one for 13 shipped, but don't want to waste the money if its just my multimeter that is screwing up on me or i'm doing something wrong.

Also, to further diagnose the problem i'm having, i pulled the starter again and popped the solenoid cover off to check the plunger and contacts.  Here's what it looks like:  

The battery side contact looks a little worn (small groove), but not that bad in my opinion.  What do you guys think?  Just in case. I plan on ordering new contacts.  But, what should the plunger look like and how do I "surface" it?

[emsvitil]

Use a drill press as a lathe and you can clean up the plunger with a file, then steel wool..................

[THK Matt]

New contacts, and clean up the plunger. good to go!

[IVrunner [OP]]

I meant to update awhile ago, but i've working a lot and have the luxury of being able to use a company truck so the 4runner has just been sitting

So a few weeks ago I ordered new contacts and installed them, cleaned up the plunger and put everything back together.  I then put the starter back on truck and turned the key  ..... click, click, start.  Success! but i was uneasy because it was a very rough start, but considering it had been started by popping the clutch last time I wasn't that worried.  I drove it around for a good hour then came back and parked it.  i thought, well lets see how it starts now....click, click, click...nothing.

I decided to jump back on it today and tested the solenoid by connecting a jumper from the pos battery terminal to the solenoid terminal and nothing.  So this means my solenoid is bad, correct??

...I think i'm going to throw in the towel and buy the new starter, unless someone can talk me out of it.

[BAMF]

...I think i'm going to throw in the towel and buy the new starter, unless someone can talk me out of it.

No. Don't.  Stop.  Don't buy a new starter.

[Mountain Cop]

There is someone out there who sells rebuild kits for these. You might consider taking it apart and cleaning everything and rebuilding it, especially if you are about to throw in the towel anyway.

[IVrunner [OP]]

Thanks, but I gave up and actually bought an aftermarket brand new starter, which solved the problem.  It sounds different than stock, so its unique now

[IVrunner [OP]]

No. Don't.  Stop.  Don't buy a new starter.

at least someone tried