Starter motor

burger1979 · Post by **burger1979** » Fri May 18, 2007 11:30 am

hi folks wasw ondering if someone could help me. i have a 1991 Hilux Surf and i think the starter motor has crapped out. i know that sometimes it can be the contacts in the motor and that a smack with a hammer can fix it. but i have absolutely no idea where the motor is located. is it easy to reach by just lying under the engine bay?
i went to start it yesterday and nothing, thought it was the battery but all lights/radio work fine and battry gauge reads ok. so then moved to starter motor cos that wasnt firing at all. so i think its this. anybody any suggestions, short of getting the thing replaced.

thanks.

Steve_t647 · Post by **Steve_t647** » Fri May 18, 2007 3:44 pm

OK Diesel? Petrol? Manual? Auto?

Do you hear a click? or nothing at all?

Anyway the starter motor will be the thing byside the gearbox (under the car) on the LHS of the car about where the firewall starts becoming the floorpan with 2 large wires going to it and 2 smaller ones, the smaller pnes throw a gear forward (the click) and the larger ones supply the current to turn it over.

you get to it best from under the surf 2 * 10 or 12mm bolts hold it.

(Going from memory so cant guarentee it) and no I don't mean to offend your mechanic ability in the under the car :oops:

If you have been 4X4ing mud gets into these if you pull it you can test the solenoid throw with a battery onto the two smaller wires (keep fingers out) if that works and there was no tisk you may have damaged a ignition wire clean terminals and check.

if not that you have to pull it apart and clean it up (fun) during reassembly you may want to RTV some of it up and protect it better, get used to it it may be one of those jobs you do on a regular basis. Note check the bearings too

silly to put it back and have it fail later for something you could have replaced.

burger1979 · Post by **burger1979** » Fri May 18, 2007 3:56 pm

sorry should have said its a 3.0ltr V6 auto. i rang toyota and they said the motor was located near the front right wheel. behind a plastic covering that i can clip off and give it a little tip from there. failing that its bring it to the garage and get it removed to check the contacts. apparantly it can be a bit of a struggle to remove the motor so not going to start and besides i dont have the tools to do it, nor do i know anyone who has. i'm trying to sell it so need to get it sorted as soon as.

when i start it all i hear are clicks from the engine bay, with some of those sounds coming from where the mechanic said the motor was located. i dont go off road in it. thanks for your reply.

Steve_t647 · Post by **Steve_t647** » Fri May 18, 2007 4:50 pm

OK sounds like there is not enough current getting to the motor it can be brushes or connections at the battery there is also a 60Amp starter fuse that may have blown it is bolted in place not a plug in one.

Have a look at that large wire it may just be loose.

giovanni · Post by **giovanni** » Sun May 20, 2007 4:59 pm

Not trying to be a smart p#%ck but have you got the trans in PARK or NEUTRAL?If so shift the selector a few times and try again to start.Failing that.Chock all wheels and pull up and brake!Test condition of battery and all wires going from it to the engine and starter.Run a jumper lead wire from the battery positve + to the starter solenoid pull in connection,small wire terminal on starter.Brace yourself and prepare for some sparks!If the starter is OK it should crank the engine overs.If not the starter needs to come off.If it cranks you have a wiring fault some where between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid i.e. ignition switch contacts,loom connection,fuseable link,inhibitor switch and or wiring.Get a 12v test lite and check to see if the solenoid pull in wiring(small wire going to starter) is geting battery juice when you hold key in start position.If not may be inhibitor switch and or associated wiring fault.Good luck and let us know what was at fault when you find it.

Mattman · Post by **Mattman** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:09 pm

Steve_t647 wrote:OK sounds like there is not enough current getting to the motor it can be brushes or connections at the battery there is also a 60Amp starter fuse that may have blown it is bolted in place not a plug in one.

Have a look at that large wire it may just be loose.

Definitely check the earth straps and battery terminals before doing much else.

There isn't a 60amp starter fuse, there is a main fuse which will affect everything else except the starter. The main starter feed is not fused as the amp draw from the starter under initial engagement is massive.

Matt.

burger1979 · Post by **burger1979** » Tue May 22, 2007 4:34 pm

hi folks,

first off thanks for all the replies car went to the garage on saturday and was told that the electric termianl at the starter motor was loose and a bit worn so that was the problem.

i had checked all the electrical connections that i could to make sure that they were tight and not loose, but the starter motor was out of my reach. i dont have any electrical measuring equipment either. but all sorted now.

anyonw wanna buy a hilux surf??? :lol: