spp88

To all who contemplate this job, here is some info I didn't see on the posts in the FAQ section.

The best starter removal DIY I found was at http://yotarepair.com/startercontacts.html but it misled me in an important way. My 4Runner is a 96 3.4L-V6 4WD and AT so maybe his was different. Below I refer to his DIY steps as the baseline.

I had the "click-click" symptom others have clearly described so I ordered the contact kits from StopShopandDrive.com had them on-hand the next day. (I had already eliminated the battery, starter relay and top-side connections as culprits, so the starter itself had to be dealt with. Step by Step

A. Before working on the starter, be sure to disconnect the battery.

B. Follow steps 1-5. After the brake line is removed, I gently manouvered the inside bracket to the outside of the frame rail so the line could be moved fore & aft without strain.

C. I don't know what step 6 refers to.

D. Step 7: My dipstick tube has a simple o-ring seal so no big effort was used to loosen it nor was sealant needed on reassembly.

E. 8-10: I was able to crack the starter bolts with no problem. Access from underneath with the right assortment of sockets, extensions and universals. Removing the primary electrical cable was easy. Unhooking the small wire connector requires a left-handed 180 degree hand universal or a high pain threshold to squeeze the connector lock tab. Access through the wheel well.

F. Step 11-13 is where I departed from the DIY. I could not believe that removing the exhaust manifold/collector was necessary to get the starter out. It isn't at least for my vehicle. After removing the starter bolts, you can remove the starter through the wheel well access hole as long as you put it in the perfect orientation. Slide the brake line forward (inside bracket is now outside the frame) and rotate the starter every which way to slide it out. It is tight, but I did it in a couple of minutes with no damage to anything other than a scratch on my arm. Pay attention on how it comes out to save time in putting it back.

G. On a bench, I cleaned everything, replaced the contacts, cleaned up the plunger contact area (some recommend replacing it) and re-assembled.

H. Putting things back was simple after I found the magic orientation to slide it through the hole. I had an able assistant hold the starter in place through the access hole while I was underneath the truck to get the bolts started, otherwise I might still be at the job.

It has been starting with no issues ever since. My actual labor was probably about 2 hours not including the hour or so I spent staring at the access hole convincing myself that Toyota put it there just for starter removal and that no major parts had to be removed to do the job.

Thanks to all the DIY help that preceeded my effort.

Best of luck to others who take this task on. Here is the incentive: My parts cost including shipping was $25.40. Ask your local dealer or Indy shop what they want for a starter R&R.

-Steve

Brian R.

Great information! Thanks for posting. Please provide a link to the starter R&R that you reference. The link you provided was only for R&R of the contacts, not the starter.

I have placed the above procedure in the FAQ thread in post #12.

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spp88

I guess I picked the wrong reference. Here is the link I used: http://www.yotatech.com/f128/starter...4runner-76347/. While I was looking for it, I found this other one: http://www.yotatech.com/f128/starter...4runner-76347/. I wish I had seen this one before I started the job. It is better than my post.

Thanks.

Brian R.

Did you mean to post two different links in your final post?

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