Do I have a bad starter?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,638
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
Do I have a bad starter?
Yesterday it took several turns of the key to start the car, acted like a dead battery and justed "clicked", but I knew it wasn't the battery. It did it again today, but sometimes doesn't do it at all. The car did this a couple of years ago, and then stopped. Do I have a warn spot on the brushes/contacts in the starter or does this sound like something else?
Where is the best place to get a starter if that is the problem, and are there high performance models available that would be better for around the same price?
Where is the best place to get a starter if that is the problem, and are there high performance models available that would be better for around the same price?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 744
Likes: 2
From: Homestead Florida
Re: Do I have a bad starter? (95wht6spd)
yep......been there...do a search in the archives. The starter parts you need are in the solenoid. Take it apart and bring the parts with you to the Toyota (that is not a misprint....it's the same as a toyota starter) parts department. ..cost is about 20 bucks for the worn parts. When you put it back together it will work like new. It took me about two hours to do it....but it was worth it....of course, mine is auto and I didnt have to drop exhause or anything...it just slid right out. your case may be different
Mine did exactly the same as yours, it only gets worse until its click click start, then ....click click click start....and finally it wont start at all. I did this about a year. good luck
Mine did exactly the same as yours, it only gets worse until its click click start, then ....click click click start....and finally it wont start at all. I did this about a year. good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Do I have a bad starter? (95wht6spd)
It could be the start solenoid, but first I would remove the battery cables (neg first) and clean the cable lugs and the battery terminals and replace the cables (neg last). A starter motor requires 100+ amps and this requires a good low resistance connection to the battery. The next time it clicks but doesn't crank, measure the battery terminal voltage when you hit the starter. It should not fall below 9.0 volts or the battery is discharged or at the end of its life. Check the connection of the large cable on the starter motor, this must be clean and tight (disconnect the neg cable on the battery so your wrench doesn't short to the frame when checking for nut tightness).
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
Re: Do I have a bad starter? (95wht6spd)
My 84 had the same problem, good policy to clean battery terminals/cables as stated above. Check for good connection at starter end. I had a bad solenoid and with the help of a friend who owns an alternator/ starter company we rebuilt my starter. Make sure to shim the starter, if necessary. You'll know if the starter needs to be shimed when you start the car and you here a "zinging" noise. Sounds cool, but no good for the starter! Shims are spacers of different sizes that move the starter away from the flywheel.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,638
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
Re: Do I have a bad starter? (torchred96)
Do you know what parts I would need so I could pick them up first from Toyota and then change them? I checked the cables and they are fine, can't see the one on the starter. Can I change this out with just ramps or do I need a lift?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Do I have a bad starter? (95wht6spd)
First of all, unless you upped your compression or heavilly modded you engine, the OEM starter is really a nice piece. We just replaced one in Dilligas' 94 and it was a breeze. Price? He got his from GM parts Direct (help me if I got that wrong, Kirby) in 24 hours for under $200. Get this, it was made in Japan. :eek:
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