My starter adventure on my '92 LS400
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My starter adventure on my '92 LS400
I knew the solenoid was near gone as she struggled to start day to day. But with 260k on the original starter, she finally gave out a week ago.
So a few days ago I tackled that oh-so-fun starter job.
Prepping for surgery
Two hours in
Ol' faithful. I will say, Toyota did an awesome job engineering bolt points for everything on the manifolds. But they must have ran out of coffee the day they designed the starter location.
Weapon of choice: 1/4" drive extended ratch with swivel head. Screw taking off the harness and coolant bridge. Just the right amount of space between the firewall and the motor to slide this bad boy in.
Out.
The face you make when you realize what it just took to get this thing out.
Fast forward a couple hours, and she's back together. In the process I manage to break the BVSV, which I fixed with super glue, and tore my intake accordion pipe, which I fixed temporarily fixed with duct tape. Also broke the hose off the PCV, which I replaced (not pictured).
Once together, she felt a need to get pissy with me and not start. An afternoon of diagnosing led me to the lower connector on the igniter that got snagged and pulled out during the plenum removal.
She now starts like a champ. Grand total including starter, tools, and hardware is $150.00. If you are mechanically inclined, save your money and do it yourself. It'll really help you to become less intimidated with this motor, as it did for me.
So a few days ago I tackled that oh-so-fun starter job.
Prepping for surgery
Two hours in
Ol' faithful. I will say, Toyota did an awesome job engineering bolt points for everything on the manifolds. But they must have ran out of coffee the day they designed the starter location.
Weapon of choice: 1/4" drive extended ratch with swivel head. Screw taking off the harness and coolant bridge. Just the right amount of space between the firewall and the motor to slide this bad boy in.
Out.
The face you make when you realize what it just took to get this thing out.
Fast forward a couple hours, and she's back together. In the process I manage to break the BVSV, which I fixed with super glue, and tore my intake accordion pipe, which I fixed temporarily fixed with duct tape. Also broke the hose off the PCV, which I replaced (not pictured).
Once together, she felt a need to get pissy with me and not start. An afternoon of diagnosing led me to the lower connector on the igniter that got snagged and pulled out during the plenum removal.
She now starts like a champ. Grand total including starter, tools, and hardware is $150.00. If you are mechanically inclined, save your money and do it yourself. It'll really help you to become less intimidated with this motor, as it did for me.
#5
Nice to see that you tackled this job. Not for the faint-hearted. And you have a good sense of humor...loved "the face you make"...priceless.
A lot of DIY'ers get the starter back in but break something else in the process as you found out. Good job in sticking with the job til she ran again!
A lot of DIY'ers get the starter back in but break something else in the process as you found out. Good job in sticking with the job til she ran again!
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Nope. Worldwide starter from Advance. My buddy works there and let me in on some info about them. Apparently the solenoid that Worldwide uses is much better than stock, but the motors aren't as strong as OEM. But they hold up well.
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Well if we're gonna go that route, I should have done knock sensor and connectors, new EFI harness connectors since the plastic is brittle, new vacuum hoses due to the mileage, new gaskets for manifolds since they have been under torque for 260k, hot tank the manifolds to ensure thorough cleansing, etc etc.....
But we all make mistakes. She starts up and runs well with those particular components working fine. Timing belt and water pump is next.
Thanks for in the insight!
But we all make mistakes. She starts up and runs well with those particular components working fine. Timing belt and water pump is next.
Thanks for in the insight!
#11
Lexus Champion
Delco-Remy is an OEM for Cummins, Detroit Diesel, CAT, and GM for their trucks - GM cars use Delphi rotating electrical. But their reman stuff is hit or miss. They're OK for stuff like this in our cars than the knockoffs from China.
#14
Good job and tips, my friend wants me to do the same on her 97 ls400, i am a little hesitant because i jump started the car and it started no prob. suggested she gets a higher cranking amp bat. worked fine for a few starts then no start. i am going to check connections first and then tackle the starter.......
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