Outer Limits 4x4 Board

G'day all,

I have an intermittent problem with starting my 80. Every now and then you go to start it and it ticks (just once) and nothing else happens. You repeat a few times and eventually it starts.

Is this a solenoid problem? or something else?

Thanks

:x

It possibly is a solenoid problem

Most late model cruisers have a gear reduction starter motor where the solenoid is contained in the starter motor housing

The solenoid has two L shaped contacts that bolt to the housing & the solonoid plunger has a disc on the end of it that when you turn the key to the start position (& the solenoid is energised) contacts the L shaped contacts & allows power to pass from one contact through the disc to the other contact & winds the starter over

What happens is that over time arcing occurs & this causes pitting on the contacts & the plunger & the noise you hear is the plunger contacting the contacts but not allowing power through on the pitted surfaces (that is why the starter motor will not wind over)

The problem is that when pitting occurs it encourages more arcing & more pitting & so it will get worse over time

The contacts & plunger are available from toyota dealers & are not difficult to fit although you need to ensure the plunger is making maxium surface contact on the contacts when you reassemble it back together

I hope this assists you if the problem is the starter motor

Regards Don

I had this problem with the 60. An after market kit was available to replace the contacts with much larger items that contacted over the whole plunger surface. It spun the engine a whole lot quicker, making starting easier on cold mornings (or as cold as it gets in Perth )

By the photo it is a 1hz std. The contacts in the starter have worn and $30 will get you two to put in. Easy 2 banana job, or you can pay someone 400 bux for a silver spray job :-)
Andrew

As Don said arking = pitting but all solinoids do this.

You will probebly find on the 80 series the original solinoid contacts are smaller than the new ones available from Toyota or after market.

Because the old ones are small they eventualy melt through & no longer make electrical contact.

From memory the new contacts are are $16 for the two from Toyota or you can do as i did & buy them from a auto electrician (exactly the same) for about $5.

Quite easy to fit yourself.

Kev.

Thanks for all your advice guys

will fix this weekend