ck90211

My 95 is having sporadic starting problem. When I make a short stop (and try to restart) the car won't start. No crank, no nothing but accessories are all running. Checked the starter relay and looks OK. Once we disconnect battery to clean + terminal and it started up (but it's having same problem again).

After some fumbling and waiting the car will start up again like nothing happened.

Might it be a immobilizer/anti-theft issue? How to deactivate it on a 95? Couldn't find the sequence on line, so hope some one you may offer advice. Thanks.

steveski

Our cars have a well documented technical issue with the starter assemblies. My 95 has had (2) starters so far and the car has 270,000 miles now. It sounds like you may have the same issue. Sometimes it will click, make no noise or crank slowly. I hope this is not your issue as it is costly ($750-$1,000) for a mechanic to replace it. There are threads discussing this in detail tho.

ck90211

I did just change the starter about 1000 miles ago. And since the car start most of the time I think the wires are on pretty good.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

hmm...double check your battery terminals to see that their tight and see if the wires are clean.

ck90211

Did light cleaning of the + terminal last night, and started up. But wouldn't start again once today (fumbling with keys, locks and remote and waited). Works 9 out of 10 times, but just that 1 time is bad enough.

steveski

Could it be the wires internal to the starter area? I mean, the ones that connect starter to solenoid? Seems like a high probability the issue could be in there? I hope not.

ck90211

I checked the relay, checked connections to the relay, and even replaced battery terminals, and still sporadic problems.

So I took the starter (a re-manufactured Autozone that is just 2 months old) out, and had Autozone check it along with the original starter (a re-manufactured Denso).

Turned out the Autozone starter heats up like crazy, the gear did not come out clean, did not spin as quickly or freely (some grinding noise), and did not retract quickly or cleanly. The re-manufactured Denso (age?) works just fine and running cool too. So reinstalled the original starter and no more problem.

I always thought re-manufactured starter may have bad solenoid, but never expected bad mechanical problems, not until now.

Really pisssed at Autozone because I had to re-incur the 4 hour labor. Will really think twice about buying more non OEM rebuilt parts. Now car starting consistently (and I have a new rebuilt Autozone starter as backup that hope never needing).

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I learned the hard way on other cars to not buy the re-manufactured parts from these stores. The tech at Toyota tore down a few of these for me to see for myself...wrong sized gaskets, o-rings, bungled fastener heads, poorly torqued...some of these were supposedly built in USA.

May not be the least $$ but the stuff I've had from Toyota has been good quality.

JimsGX

A new OEM starter is around $200 online. Given the fact that its such a PITA to get at it, I think its worth paying for a brand new one.

ck90211

I must say I learn my lesson the hard way. But still surprises me why a major retailer like Autozone deal with such inferior products (places like Costco always have such good quality).

Coincidently I ordered a ignition relay from Rockauto (when I first thought I might need a relay). It is a Made-in-China part (brand name Standard). Looking inside it sure is poorly made compare to OEM (which was not the problem).

Guess the lesson is, when available, always buy Toyota OEM, except air struts (just too pricey, ended up buying from Arnott, so far working fine).

BCinDC

Where are you finding the New OEM starter for $200. I believe I need one and given the PITA the job is, I want a good one.

JimsGX

For your 1996, parts.com has it listed for $180.29 after your core return of $30...

Part #: 28100-50060

http://www.parts.com/oemcatalog/inde...0&model=LS 400

BCinDC

So Parts.com is OEM parts?

JimsGX

Yes.........

DoktorYes

I had the same start problem I finally tracked it down to the ECM it was a loose connection on plug 3.I was looking for a short when I found the problem.Don't buy a bunch of parts you don't need,this car is very reliable.But after 14 years things get loose.