Life of a Starter Motorand Alternators

[mepvic Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mepvic]

Tried doing a search for starter motor but got every article on start and motors so thought I would start a new post.

Friend and I just did a trip up to Cape York. My Prado is a 120 series and the mates is a 150 series.

Before we even went onto a dirt road the 150 had an alternator failure that had to be replaced. Thanks to RACV, he was towed back to Roma for the repair.

Up to the tip we went through some 1M water crossings without too much drama but on the way back my 120 starter motor started to play up. A few wacks with a hammer allowed the starter motor to turn over and by leaving the motor running all day drove from Seisia to Weipa. Had to have the starter motor replaced there.

All going well then but a week or so later, the 150 had the same problem. Starter motor clicking but engine not starting. Wacks with a hammer got it going and eventually had that starter motor replaced also.

Repairers tell us that starter motors and alternators are consumables. My question to my fellow Prado owners is how long would you expect a starter motor and alternator to live before it was consumed and needed to be replaced.? The 120 has done 198K and the 150 around 170k. Also, did the deep water crossing contribute to the starter motor's failure?

Thanks

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

I doubt the starter actually failed. Sounds like a situations that is posted about a lot with corroded contacts in the solenoid. Happened to my 150 and a mates Hilux. 30 mins work and 5 cents worth of grease/sandpaper and your starter is good as new.
As for the alternator mine failed at 150k. In a perfect world they will last forever, but in the world of offroading their lifespan is so variable, mud, dust and water all contribute to failure.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

I see plenty of 120 & 150's & never really see problems with either.
The 120's are up to around 250-300,000k on originals.

There seems to be a few alternator failures, more so in 150's.
The ones I hear of sometimes after mud/water, but not always.

The starter is a common problem clicking once wet.
They do dry up eventually. Or you can remove, clean & refit.

Mud=$$$$

[mepvic Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mepvic]

Thanks. Both starter motor problems were the contacts. Cost $560 to replace the complete unit. Both mechanics said it was easier than stripping it down. One in Weipa and one in Cairns. Probably if I was a bit younger I would have done it myself.
Guess I'll get another 200k out of mine now

[drwormy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close drwormy]

My starter in my FJ also started ;-) to fail a month or two after some time in the Cape, and right after a high country weekend.

This is what i did to fix it:

http://www.fjcc.com.au/f35/starter-m...27/#post111544

Cost me $5 and some graized fingers but has been working fine since.

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

"easier than stripping it down"??? Once the starter is removed it is 3 screws to access the contacts. The hardest part about stripping it down is remembering where in your toolbox the phillips head screwdriver is.

[TurboD4D Member Find all posts View Profile Close TurboD4D]

I've been through 5 alternators in my 120 all but one failed due to water crossings. the other was a faulty pully that I have since replaced and is now a spare.
Starter motor played up after I had gone though some muddy water. Filled it with WD40 and has been good ever since