starter motor

[dom Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dom]

Hi,

I am having an intermittent problem with the starter motor on my 05 TD GX Prado. Every now and then when you turn the key the starter will spin over but the motor doesnt start. You can hear it trying to engage (grinding noise) but no matter how many times you try the motor does not turn. The only way to get it started then is to put it in first and give it a rock. It then start as normal.

I have had the contacts in the starter motor replaced with heavier ones. This improved the situation (doesnt happen as often) but the problem hasnt gone away. My mechanic thinks the next course of action is to replace the starter motor. Would be interested if anyone else has seen this problem (and more importantly how to fix it)

Dom.

[Guest Close Guest]

Please place your location in your profile.

It sounds like a starter overhaul is in order, sticky solenoid, seizing bearings etc could all be the culprit.

[MattWhite Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MattWhite]

Or check rthe teeth on the ring gear. Also could be the one way clutch slipping on the pinion gear. Either way, overhaul or replace.

[dom Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dom]

I also suspected the ring gear as otherwise rocking the car would make no difference. My mechanic says the ring gear looks ok and couldnt really fault the starter for that matter either. This vehicle has only done 75k and hasnt done any hard work. I wouldnt expect the starter to need replacing or overhauling at this stage.

The contacts were replaced as this is apparently a common fault in cruisers but it hasnt fixed my Prado. My old BJ73 got up to 200k before it even needed a set of brushes and it has done a lot of offroad work.

The reason I suspect this is a Prado specific problem is I saw a 90 series do exactly the same thing at a dry lake once.

[AJs Prado Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJs Prado]

Dom,

I have 11/03 GXL, 100k km and just had the starter replaced. Same issues as you describe. Was done under the extended warranty and toyota dealer just replaced it rather than rebuild.

The NRMA roadside guy said he'd done 15 yrs with toyota and mine "was the first he'd seen" so I'm not sure its something that is a problem. I haven't seen anything from anyone else about starters on here except you now.

AJ

[dom Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dom]

Unfortunately I didn't get extended warranty as I didn't want to be forced to take my Prado to back to the original Toyota dealer to get it serviced. Thought I would have buckleys of getting it replaced under warranty in any case as it is very intermittent. I have my own mechanic is going to replace the starter motor at the next service. Will let you know if this fixes the problem.

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

Sold my 1998 RV with 180000kms on the clock, had to replace the solenoid at around 140000km auto elec said it was a regular thing with Prados.

[dom Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close dom]

I spoke to my mechanic today. The Prado was booked for a service on Monday. I wanted to check he had the starter motor before I turned up. The service has been postponed as the starter motor has not arrived. Apparently there were a lot of Prado starter motors on back order. Maybe I'm not the only one with this problem