Starter issues, need help

I've had my 97 v6 4x4 taco for some time now and it's always had a hard time starting. It would always turn over but would take a couple seconds to start, or would start on the second try. Sometimes it would start right away like a new truck. 2 weeks ago I replaced the battery, and last week I drove my truck to the movies. It cranked for a bit and started like usual, but when I was gonna drive back home 2 hours later it wouldn't even turn over. I got it towed to my house and started looking into it. I had someone hit the starter while I tried to turn it on and it worked. I've turned it on a couple times since then and it's back to the usual. I know that day it was obviously the starter that got stuck, but is it also the issue with it taking so long to turn on?

 

Sounds like two problems

When was the last tune up plugs wires air filter etc ??

Since this is a 97 has the starter ever been rebuilt might be time ??

 

About 2000 miles ago I replaced the spark plugs and wires. Yesterday I actually managed to take the starter off by watching a YouTube video but was wondering if I should rebuild it or replace it, and here are some pictures after cleaning up the outside of it.

 

Yes at a minimum run to local actual auto electrical repair/parts house(not AutoZone, not Napa, etc) and they will have new contacts and possibly plunger. You can also try sanding down the plunger to clean it up, you know, where it would make contact with the contacts

 

When you replace the contacts use like a block or something pushing the contact down flat to make sure it doesn't move while tightening. The reman starters I've opened up the workers should be ashamed of how terrible the rebuild was, and this was a Denso rebuild.

 

Yep, please, please, don't buy a re-built,,, take it to a rebuilder if you have one locally.

 

Why not just replace the solenoid contacts? See Timmah's video on that. Shows you everything you need to know...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV1t5-wcoOI&t=0s&index=92&list=UU9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA

 

Yeah I've been looking into that, I've actually watched his video many times over

 

Have you (or anyone that reads this) used any or know of any good rebuild kits online? Because locally I have no idea where to get it

 

This sounds like a fuel delivery issue to me. My truck would take longer and longer to start, it was because of a bad fuel pump. It would struggle to start after driving it and letting it sit for a bit. I thought it might have been the injectors leaking a little after shutting off, making it have trouble starting after sitting for only a few minutes to a couple hours. A few hours (8 or more) later it would start fine. But I had the fuel pump/filter replaced and it's been fine ever since.

 

those contacts are not in that bad of shape, I don't think they necessitate replacement.

 

Yeah I was thinking the same since the contacts actually don't look too worn down, I'll still replace them just to be sure since the starter is already off anyways. I was thinking of replacing the fuel filter to see if anything changed too. Will probably do it while I wait for the new contacts to come in.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Starter-So...ubaru-Lexus-/311911058037?hash=item489f590a75

They look worn from here!

 

Already ordered them from Amazon and it gets in tonight. I saw that kit and it looks great but I would have to wait since shipping is 2-3.5 weeks on it.

 

I have replaced better ones then that.

Curious what the plunger looks like

 

It still looks decent in my opinion, I'll just clean up the copper point on it. What do you guys think?

 

I have similar issue and even created my own thread lol , I’ve concluded that it’s my key cylinder that’s worn or dirty

 

Idk because mine cranks every time (except for when the starter got stuck). It just cranks for a long time before it starts, and it's weird because sometimes it starts instantly like nothing was wrong.

 

the intermittent slow to start is an indication of fuel not being "right there". Dont worry about it, many Tacomas run for forever like this.