Offroad-Express

Hi all,

I'm after some advice please.

After replacing the battery in my '01 1kzte hilux recently, the starter is occasionally making a grinding noise like it's not quite engaged in the fly wheel properly when I turn the key to start it. It only does it occasionally and doesn't make any difference if it's hot or cold. Sometimes it will kick in and turn over as it should part way through the grinding noise and then it's fine.
As I said earlier, it's almost like sometimes the teeth aren't quite touching properly and other times it's fine.

Any ideas what it could be? I've read it could be the solenoid, the teeth on the starter or the teeth on the fly wheel.
My thoughts are that if the problem started when the new battery was put in then perhaps it's electrical (solenoid or something like that).

Any advise greatly received.

Cheers.

Bendix gear on starter motor, works like a one way clutch. Google might tell you how to test it properly, not sure I wanna mention my redneck way of doing it

johnny262 wrote:Bendix gear on starter motor, works like a one way clutch. Google might tell you how to test it properly, not sure I wanna mention my redneck way of doing it

i don't think bendix is the right term. its not an inertia starter.

most likely is the solenoid has crap in it and is sticking or the overun clutch is worn.

I just got some spares from AES (auto electrical spares) Henderson, really helpful in sorting my starter issues.

tweake wrote:

johnny262 wrote:Bendix gear on starter motor, works like a one way clutch. Google might tell you how to test it properly, not sure I wanna mention my redneck way of doing it

i don't think bendix is the right term. its not an inertia starter.

most likely is the solenoid has crap in it and is sticking or the overun clutch is worn.

Ahhh you'd be dead right there chap, was referring to said overrun clutch fwiw, cheers

Cheers fellas, does this ultimately mean a new starter or is it easy enough for me to replace the parts?
I've noticed that it is covered in a bit of oil, given that it sits underneath the oil filter. Perhaps a bit of a strip down and clean might help?

Most starters are pretty bullet proof, a strip down is mandatory now as your having issues. Mine just needed plunger and contacts, but had different issues than you. I did a YouTube search for stripping one down, was invaluable as I had never done it before.

Thanks for that mate, very helpful. I just need to work out if it's definitely the overrun clutch before I go ahead and get the parts.