Testing the starter relay?

[sanfelice]

Since i posted a few days ago about the problems with my clicking starter, it occurred to me that testing - or replacing - the starter relay might be the first thing i should do. can anyone tell me how to test this part? or, should i just pay the dough and buy one before pulling my starter?

1994 V6

[marc780]

Solenoid and Starter Contacts:

The problem with most broken starters is usually a worn out solenoid or worn out starter contacts. Most of the time the starter itself is fine. But you cant really find solenoids, or if you can they are priced at a ridiculous amount, like almost as much as a whole starter. So you wind up just buying the starter.

Theres good articles here about changing your starter contacts as these are the parts that wear the fastest. I found a seller of starter contacts dirt cheap

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...OnlineOrdering

if you have more time then money then give it a try. But another thing i would try, clean your cables and charge your battery and if this makes a difference, then maybe it is the battery. Otherwise i would just change it. (the starter that is).

[sanfelice]

Originally Posted by marc780

Solenoid and Starter Contacts:

The problem with most broken starters is usually a worn out solenoid or worn out starter contacts. Most of the time the starter itself is fine. But you cant really find solenoids, or if you can they are priced at a ridiculous amount, like almost as much as a whole starter. So you wind up just buying the starter.

Theres good articles here about changing your starter contacts as these are the parts that wear the fastest. I found a seller of starter contacts dirt cheap

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...OnlineOrdering

if you have more time then money then give it a try. But another thing i would try, clean your cables and charge your battery and if this makes a difference, then maybe it is the battery. Otherwise i would just change it. (the starter that is).

thanks for that! i'm going to attempt removal in a few minutes. any hints?

[marc780]

Not to many from me but theres plenty of posts on this...as you must have noticed, the Camry starter is the easiest one to change, ever, no crawling on the ground its right up top - just dont mix up you bolts and disconnect the battery first.
And you didnt say if you are replacing, or trying to rebuild the old one, so i'll assume you're just changing it out - but - just be sure to compare the new and old starter, because getting the wrong part is common. And if you can, have them test the new starter before you leave the store, getting bad replacement parts is also common. If they have no tester at this store i'd just chance it with the new part.
Maybe if enough people insist on having new replacement parts tested before paying, they will get they act together and improve Q.C.