The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

Wandering Willy · ******* Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1016 Location: Norfolk

Several threads here refer to the need to replace the contacts on the starter from time to time.

Anyone know of a good source in the UK?

General opinion seems to be that the dealers want to sell you a complete new starter so they may not be much help.

Suggestions appreciated

Willy

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DJR · *** Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 141 Location: Gloucester

Depends what engine you've got, I suppose!
I know, that for the 1KZTE, 3.0l turbo diesel, the contacts are available at a Hilux Surf specialists in Bristol (along with a load of other parts).
Have a look here

Wandering Willy · ******* Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1016 Location: Norfolk

Thanks for the link. I was looking for Amazon/100 bits but this is a start.

Willy

Nor · **** Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 330 Location: Oslo, Norway

Isn't that a problem only for the petrol engine?
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2004 HDJ100 AHC Auto 160'km, ex 2000 HDJ100, ex 1997 HZJ80GX Africa edition.

Wandering Willy · ******* Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1016 Location: Norfolk

I have only read that the amazon starter motor suffers eventually form this problem and didn't check to see if it was the petrol or diesel model. I assumed - stupidly - that it was the diesel or both types of engine. Starting a diesel engine takes a lot of current and then wear on these contacts would be a possible problem.

As the contacts should be only a few pounds and a new starter motor - even a re-conditioned one - would be much more than that, I was working on the basis that it would be better to get a set of contacts as a stock spare for when the problem occurred than to wait until the car won't start and be backed into a corner to fix it - possibly having to buy a replacement starter simply to get the car working again.

I've had a similar problem with alternators where the carbon brushes for the rotor field coils cost a few pounds to replace while a new alternator is hundreds. I've even made my own if I can't buy new ones. I just take the carbon rods out of a couple of D batteries and use some emery to shape them to fit. It's not best practice but it works. This saves the job of begging the dealers to get the brushes when they want to sell you a new alternator but doesn't make for a good feeling about their attitude to us 'customers'.

Willy

DaveN · ******* Joined: 14 May 2005 Posts: 1190 Location: Sweden

You can get the contacts from the dealer - £11 rings a bell.

armstrong75 · ** Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 88 Location: Milton Keynes

It does apply to diesels, try www.milneroffroad.com

You will probably need to phone as they don't list everthing on line.

Also you may find this useful.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml