2000 3.4L 4Runner Starter Solenoid

[DA2]

I own a 2000 4Runner V6 4-WD Limited Edition. Had since new. 110K miles.

Need to replace Starter/Solenoid.
1. What Brand/Maker of this part do you recommend vs. buying directly from Dealership?
2. Is there an on-line seller you'd recommend?
2. What price range should I expect to pay?
3. Is Shop 1.5 hours the true recommended replacement time?

Thanks for your input! Much appreciated.

[kball]

The starters on these will supposedly outlast the truck. It's the contacts in the starter that go out. They only cost about $15 in parts. It's the labor that's bad news. Don't let them replace your OEM starter with some after market piece of junk!!

[DA2]

"kball", Thanks for the response. I totally agree, but unfortunately I no longer work on the truck myself because of some injuries. I'd love to just replace the contacts, but am left with having to have a shop pull it out and I need one to have them install at the same time. I know these guys and at least they don't rip me off, fair prices and good work. 1.5 hrs labor to do the job and I could bring in my own starter/solenoid or have them put in one they order. I've tried to find a stock part locally that's used that I could rebuild but no luck. So I'm left with a bad option but I need the truck back on the road asap.

[kball]

Good luck to you. I understand the ASAP thing. I just hate to see a great starter get replaced with one that could die young. The thing is you wouldn't need a replacement starter if all that's wrong is the contacts. Your mechanic could replace them in 10 minutes after pulling the starter out. This is all assuming that the contacts are the problem. Does it do nothing when you turn the key over and over and then finally start like there's nothing wrong? That's the classic bad contacts symptom.

1.5 hours seems very reasonable from what I've read. I have not done a starter on one of these but everyone says the 4WD's are a bear to get the starter out and back in so if that's all they are charging you I'd say you're doing alright.

Here's a write up to let you see what I'm talking about...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...tml#post530199

[DA2]

I get the dreaded "CLICK" and then nothing. Sometimes it will take five or six times before it turns over, sometimes less, sometimes a lot more.

And you are right. On the 4WD it is an nightmare to get to unless you've got it up on a lift, and even then its difficult to access.

I have been told that if you can get a broom stick handle pushed through and make contact with the starter, then give it a tap or two, it will usually free up the contacts, but I haven't found the right angle to get to starter.

[kball]

Yep, it's your contacts. If you can get new contacts from a local dealer I'd see if your mechanic will pull the starter and replace them and put it back. Even if they charge you a little more time for labor it's still cheaper than a new OEM starter and you won't be left with a piece of junk.

Take a picture from that write up I linked and show your mechanic.

[Runner Rider]

yea the broom handle trick does work but only a few times. there is a rubber guard that protects the starter from road debris from the tire. it is simple to get off and provides a pretty good angle to the starter. if you decide to get a "new" starter make sure you get a quality starter. DO NOT go to a store like autozone or o'reily's for any type of remanufactured part. i have had good luck with napa and i have heard good things about bumper to bumper but have never done business with them. and yes 1.5 hours is an appropriate time for labor charges

[engine1CD]

There are 2 types of starters 1.4KW and 1.8KW check on your vehicle before you ask for parts.
1. Solenoid on1.4kWstarter is part number 28150-62050
2. Solenoid on1.8kWstarter is part number 28150-62030

According my experience, you can try first with
1. starter kit battery terminal 28226-64200(1.4kW) 28226-54380(1.8kW)
2. starter kit motor terminal 28226-74070(1.4kW) 28226-72010(1.8kW)