Last week I heard the dreaded "click" when I turned the key so I ordered a new starter. I struggled to find information about it other than "it's really hard to change, especially on a 5spd" or "it's really easy, only takes 30min". Well it is really easy if you know what you are doing, even on a 5spd sc300.


Here are the tools I used.

1. Universal socket joint, similar to the autozone part #68001
2. 10in extension + a 5in extension in order to reach the top bolt
3. Socket wrench with 12mm and 14mm

1. Disconnect your battery
2. Jack up the car



3. Get under the car and crawl back until you are near where the transmission and engine meet and find the starter



4. There are only 3 bolts that need to be removed and a plastic clip that needs to be unplugged. Unplug it.
5. Disconnect the 12mm bolt that has the rubber cover.



6. Use the extensions to reach the top 2 main bolts that attach the starter.
7. Once the starter is free, you might need to tie some of the rubber lines out of the way so that you can wiggle it out and down from the car.



8. Re-installation is the same but in reverse. It wasn't too hard to line up and install the new one but maybe that's because I have fairly thin arms?

 

nice write up...I used the same tools =D

 

Now go buy the contacts for the starter ($5-20)and you will have a perfectly good spare starter.

(EDIT: I did a thread on how to change the starter and contacts)

 

nice job with the writeup. I just replaced the contacts in mine instead of ordering a new one, it took 15 minutes after the starter was out. it costs about $20 at toyota tell them you want the kit and make sure it has the starter side and the battery side. works just like new (the motor rarely dies on these things, just the contacts).

 

i find that a socket + ratchet combo is kinda hard to stuff up there, and it gives you such limited room to move. I found that a 14mm ratchet wrench with a swivel head works wonders.

 

Does anyone have instructions on installing the contact kit. I'm thinking of getting one on ebay, I tried the dealer in Brooklyn but the dude was an a...whole - said the dealer only sells starters.

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...not-271-a.html

Here you go. Any questions ask me.

 

Good write up. Thanks for taking the time to post the thead and the pictures.

 

No problem, I get a ton of useful Info and How-to's here. Just wait for my SIngle conversion on my 1JZ, i'll have the woman take so many pictures, she will hate the damn thing.

 

I have to do this when I get home, and thanks to you, Troy, think I'll be able to do it just fine!

 

can the 95 and 93 sc300 starters be interchangeable?! let me know asap! please!

 

I think they are all the same

 

I just got back from the dealer. One of the "Kit, Repair" packages is part number 28226-7400; and the other is 28226-76070. You'll need both so you can replace both contacts. My dealer in Minneapolis didn't have them in stock and had to order them. $50 for both.

 

make sure to check with toyota it will usually be less expensive.

 

you sc300 guys are lucky. the 1uzfe is a pain the butt. I used to have an ls400 and that sucked. id give anything to change my starter from under the car. the only good thing about changing it on the v-8 is that you can change a bunch of gaskets so I guess that's good.