Starter motor

[Matt C Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Matt C]

I have a 98 petrol prado and need to work on the solinoid. I have been able to get the starter motor off, but cannot get it out of the engine bay. There seems to have been heaps of people that have done this and haven't mentioned any difficulties getting it out so maybe I'm overlooking something simple. Going via the wheel arch, there is a steel brake line I think it is in the way. That seems to be the only way out for it.

Please help....

Matt

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

Re: Starter motor

Not too sure but when my solenoid was replace the most expensive bit was the labor, auto electrician said it was a real bitch to get out.


Chuck

[Davo68 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Davo68]

Re: Starter motor

Done my stater motor twice now.The easiest way i found out was to disconnect power steering pipes at steering rack and take it out from underneath the vehicle.Trust me its a tight squeeze to get it out but its worked for me.It only comes out one way and goes back in the same..Good luck

[zookcubr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zookcubr]

Re: Starter motor

Yeah I had a go at mine as well, all I can say is get somebody else to do it. I must have spent a good part of a day trying my best to remove it. In the end I gave up. The worst part was getting to the top mount bolt. I used every tool I had almost to get it turning and it just wouldnt budge. So I took it to the auto sparkie, he got it off by snapping it. The price on a new starter including labour was reasonable considering the difficulty for access etc, he took removed the steering to pull it out and it went back in the same way,

Zook.

[wolfcub Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close wolfcub]

Re: Starter motor

I had a problem last week where the starter was stuck in the on position. After I had started the vehicle, the solenoid would stay in, meaning the starter was still running while the car was. When I turned the car off, the starter was still running. Didn't know what to do and eventually had to disconnect the battery once the starter started creating smoke. RAC came out and after a couple of light taps on the starter, the solenoid dislodged back to the out position. Needless to say, I didn't know what sort of damage had been done to the starter and didn't wat to risk the problem happening again.

The following day I started getting quotes for a new starter. A couple of Auto Electricians qouted $500+ for parts plus a minimum of a couple hours labour (@ $100 p/h). :shock: They even complained about how difficult it would be to remove the starter :roll: I though I would try my luck at the local Ultra Tune in Belmont. He quoted $550 all up for parts (new, not reconditioned) & labour and said he could have it done that afternoon. Sold! Ultra Tune actually called me back about 1 1/2 hrs later and said they were done. Happy with the service and the Prado now starts perfectly every time.

[slaughts Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close slaughts]

Re: Starter motor

I just had to replace the contacts on my stater motor, the best way I found to get it out of the engine bay is through the drivers side wheel arch. (after much time diliberating over a couple coldies) Had to move a small rubber flap, undo two brake line brackets, (didn't undo the brake line), was able to move break line towards the back, then pulled it out, motor goes to the top. On third attempt to get the starter motor to work was able to do job in an hour and half.
Slaughts

[PStanBo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close PStanBo]

Revival...

My apologies for reviving such an old thread. Given the age of the 90 series, I figure everyone is going to have to go through the starter overhaul sooner or later, so the info is still relevant.

For removal I found the easiest route (After much un-necessary stripping of ancilleries, and attempting to remove upwards, downwards, sideways etc) was;

---From underneath the car;
-remove the steering column linkage (2x spline retainer bolts, 12mm) and remove the flexible coupling.
-remove cables from the solenoid (12mm for main lead, clip to unplug trigger wire.)
-Remove lower starter mounting bolt (14mm)

---From under the bonnet;
-Remove the upper starter retaining bolt (14mm also) using a ring spanner, reaching down from above the block, facing the firewall.
-Catch starter. (i forgot this bit...)

---Back under the car;
-Turn the starter 180 front to back (so rear armature housing is visible)
-Remove the lead connecting the Solenoid to the barrel of the starter (12mm again)
-remove the housing retainer bolts (2x 8mm) and remove the barrel, innards included, and place to one side.
-The rest of the starter can now be pulled out through the opening through the steering linkages, by just rotating it as you back it out. (think table through doorway)

Overhaul as required, install in reverse order (ie, still in 2 pieces) Putting the little barrel retaining bolts back in was a little tricky, but not impossible. Bolt back up, remember the trigger lead.

REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGES !! << Very important

Now sit back and listen to the beautiful whir of a correctly engaging starter !

Hope this helps someone save a few hours on their first attempt !

Phil