Replacing my starter - is this the correct one to buy?

Hi all, thinking of undertaking replacing my starter... looks like a pain in the @ss from what I'm reading. But gonna give it a whirl. Is this the starter I want to replace it with? I have a V8 2001 Toyota Tundra.

$118 Denso DENSO First Time Fit® Starter Motor - 280-0320

Amazon.com: Denso DENSO First Time Fit® Starter Motor - 280-0320 : Automotive

And also - is there anything else I should replace or do while I'm in there? Thanks!!!

 

Alright few things here. What do you think is wrong with the current starter? 2nd that reman starter ships from an scamazon warehouse so its susceptible to counterfeit and it's a reman anyway. 3rd new OEM intake gaskets are a great idea unless you feel like having to pull the intake again later to do gaskets again.

I'd suggest a starter from Rockauto. Need to determine if your truck had the cold weather package to figure out what size starter your truck came with. Either starter will work but sometimes the bigger starter is actually cheaper. I'll do a little digging but I'm sure a few others will chime in.

 

More to add. Looks like either 1.4KW starter or 2KW. 2KW is cheaper on RA but they only have reman although I'm not sure that's a terrible idea really. If you aren't sure about cold weather package you can go to toyota.com/owners and put in your VIN (after you make an account I think) and you can find all your trucks options under one of the tabs and it should show there.

 

I second the "what leads you to believe you need to replace the starter" that Nick asked.

 

Sure, but that is true of every part of the truck....why the starter? Why not the #5 coil?

 

I don't want to even pay it once...

 

It *will* die eventually, but the OEM starter isn't uncommon to last 200k, 300k, or more mileage. On the other hand, we've had gaggles of people come here who replaced (or suspected) their starter thinking that was the source of their no-start or rough-start condition, only to find out it was something in their power/charging system, or a prerequisite in the fuel system.

I'm all about proactive replacement, but on something that's time-intensive like swapping the starter (hours vs. minutes), that calls for at least some justification, like "I'm in there anyway, doing a nearby job" or "I'm noticing X, Y, Z symptom"

The question is valid: Why the starter, @jackcrab? How many miles on your rig, also?

This point is critical: NEVER BUY AUTO PARTS ON scAMAZON! I literally just posted another case of counterfeit parts in another thread in the last 24hrs. You will get ripped off due to how their fulfillment chain works and their total lack of commitment to scanning inventory incoming to their warehouses, and this is not a job you want to do again because your counterfeit part fails a few months down the road.

Tell us what climate you live in (or where), you may want to get the 2.0Kw starter instead of the 1.4Kw, the 2.0 came with cold weather package IIRC, which Nick mentioned. Could be a nice low-dollar bolt-on upgrade.

And yeah, you'll want to refresh the intake manifold gaskets while you're in there.

 

Hmm you all raise great points. My mileage is 280,000. You are right - maybe it isn’t my starter. I can definitely rule out my battery as I replaced it as well as all terminal connections so corrosion isn’t an issue. It is squeaky clean.

the problem I am getting is that maybe 20% of the time when I put my key in the ignition and turn it, there is a delay in starting. It always starts, though. The delay is maybe 1-2 seconds. Kind of like how some have said, I like to replace stuff before I am left stranded. But you are probably right in that it could be another problem …

and it seems like the delay in starting happens more frequently in the mornings …

 

I don't disagree, given the mileage. It wouldn't be unheard of. Get the Denso 2.0Kw cold pkg starter though (may as well). Make sure it's Denso/OEM brand, it'll last at least another 100k-200k miles.

Just don't buy your parts on scAmazon. I know it's easier, but they're having massive problems with counterfeit inventory. Go to Rock Auto, Summit Racing, or any local auto parts store. I can get you a 5% off coupon @ Rock Auto if you need it.

And remember to get new manifold gaskets.

More than anything, post back if it resolves your problem. I think everyone here is happy to help if not, and we'd love to hear if the new starter solves your issue. Could be flaky part of the ignition/start switches, park/neutral switch, etc. in all honesty. And some have had issues with cables corroding deep into the cable, inside the sheath.

 

Just so I don’t order the wrong one, if it isn’t too much trouble could you link me to the right starter at one of the sites you trust? Thank you so much.

 

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1292798&cc=1357938&pt=4152

 

For a 2001 Tundra V8, Denso is listing their reman parts as follows:

• 280-0319: 1.4 kW; Mfd in USA (Reman Starter)
• 280-0320: 2.0 kW; Exc. Mfd in USA (Reman Starter)

I'd personally buy the 2.0 if it were me. I looked at pricing on a new/non-reman part from Toyota and they're running about 10-20% more than most stores. But it looks like 2001-2002 may've been a crossover year, so I'm not confident giving you Toyota's exact part# (it'll just be a Denso part anyway). If you're interested in that route, call a local dealership parts dept. and ask them to give you the correct 2.0Kw part number, and you can order from Toyota Parts directly with a discount, then pick up from your local dealership (you only get the discount if you place the order online).

SummitRacing is out of the 2.0 right now, and the 1.4 is actually $20 more (weird).
Rockauto has the 2.0 here, and here is a 5% coupon code you must enter in the "How'd you hear about us box" (then hit ENTER).

Intake manifold is a 2-piece unit, you can remove as a whole, as long as you remove as a whole and don't separate it you don't need the upper gaskets, just the lowers. Here are your gasket options, and I'm linking to the parts directly - Depending which dealer I choose to pick up from locally, I can get the lower gasket (which is mandatory for your install) as cheap as $20 after the pre-loaded MSRP dealership discount you get using the Toyota Parts website vs. directly ordering from the counter.

FEL-PRO MS96334 (upper & lower) @ $55, RockAuto (link)
Toyota OEM 1717150020 (lower only) @ $25, Toyota Direct (link)

I bet Fel-Pro makes a lower-only gasket set, but ... I'm not digging just get OEM, it'll last just as long or longer.

 

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. Hoping I am not in over my head on this but have a week off from work so if I mess up or can’t put it back together will take it to a shop. Been watching lots of YouTube videos on replacing a starter - is it easier to take the passenger wheel off or taking the manifold off ? I plan to take lots of pictures and video so i can put things back together quickly. I thought about taking it to a shop but I enjoy fumbling trough things and think this could be a good learning experience for me.

 

Taking passenger wheel off would be a new one on me. It's under the intake manifold.

This video TRQ put out looks pretty solid, it's easier for you because you don't have SAIP the '05 and '06 have. But plug the holes to the cylinders before cleaning collected debris underneath, it's the only thing I disagree with about the TRQ video, he should've plugged them all, and sooner. Hopefully yours isn't chemically bonded to the block like his

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok-ObU8BpwE

Here's another video that looks solid, but I think TRQ is better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ilek4gjhRF4

 

Just a quick question. Is there 1-2 second delay in the engine starting on the starter
actually cranking?

 

I don't disagree....but everything will fail eventually and the starter is only one of a hundred things that will leave you stranded...which is why I had the same question everyone else....had why are you looking at your starter? Which you have now answered.

A LOT of posts have been made about people with ignition troubles who replace the starter and find out it wasn't the starter. The starters don't fail on these trucks very often compared to corroded cables and such.

 

Engine starting , if I am understanding your question correctly. I put the key in, turn it, and there is a delay before engine fires up. Sorry I am not the brightest bulb when it comes to car stuff but I am eager to learn more. Thank you for your time

 

Like, turn the key, then it takes 1-2 seconds for the starter to begin turning the engine over, or 1-2 seconds of cranking before the engine fires up?

The 1st of those is probably the starter or ignition system. The latter symptom is potentially fuel pump and/or fuel circuitry. At least those would be my 1st conclusions.

I didn't even think to ask the question, I just read what you wrote and assumed the starter was spinning or not engaging the motor for 1-2 seconds after key turn.

 

Oh I see. When I turn the key, there is no sound for 1-2 seconds, then the starter kicks in and then the engine fires. There is no clicking during the 1-2 second delay

 

Yeah, I'd suspect it's either the ignition circuit or starter. There are absolutely ways to test this, but I agree with @07DCLimited, at this age + mileage, starter is probably due.

 

I'm going to be proactively replacing my starter on crackie along with the intake manifolds, and injectors, and POSSIBLY the knock sensors since I'll be all up in that area anyways.

I don't think it's a bad thing to do proactive parts changing like this, and like you're setting out to do. Although you have symptoms of a failing component...

 

Try turning the starter over using a volt meter and the relay like in the video below and see if you still get a 1-2 second delay.

 

I really appreciate the help and links, but was just about to purchase and noticed - is this a reman? Is there a way to get a brand new one that isn't reman? I dont mind paying a little more. thanks again guys, you are all super helpful.

 

They're virtually all remanufactured, even when buying non-OEM, non-Denso brand.

Really, the housing is steel, they're just going in and replacing any part of the guts which would see wear and tear, with something better/newer. For Denso parts, the rebuild specifically takes place in the USA, the ones I looked up @ Denso were at least, so it's not like they're going on a boat to China or India, being rebuilt there, and shipped back, giving you a potentially lower-quality product.

If you want a new part, you're SOL. Here's the engine section for an '01 V8 AC 4WD, and here's the starter page. As you see here, this "84" at the end of the starter part# means it's remanufactured.

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And if you dig a little deeper, I'm just picking one of those four - because I'm not clear which one of the two of each (1.4/2.0) is correct for your truck! - and when I click on the part to look at more details, I can clearly see they've replaced the old non-84 (i.e. brand new) part number that I've boxed in red with the rebuild part number ending in '84'. This means the original part isn't available anymore, it's been superceded by the rebuild. They're not manufacturing the housing anymore, it would seem. Even if they were, you'd be getting the exact same internals on the new part that Denso uses for a rebuild at their USA factories ... the only "new" part would be the housing itself.

Normally, buying the new part would've set you back to the tune of 2x-3x as much, you would've been paying north of $500-600 for a brand new starter. Your truck is 20+ years old, that's a long time to continue manufacturing housings...

​

 

Oh I see, wow you are teaching me a lot here. I don't know much about this sort of thing but am eager to learn more. So I guess I'll go ahead and order the two you mentioned above, the

• $118 280-0320 Denso DENSO First Time Fit® Starter Motor - 280-0320
  280-0320: 2.0 kW; Exc. Mfd in USA (Reman Starter)

as well as the OEM intake gaskets. And I'll go through RockAuto - never heard of them before but looks like a great site to buy car stuff. Thank you again I'll let you know how it goes and if this resolves my issue.

 

Yeah, the forum auto-hyperlinked my part number to scAmazon's website, just don't buy it there.

Rock Auto is family-owned, with a long history, and great customer support. I think I included the discount code above, if not, LMK.

 

Man, you really want to kill OP here, don't you?

Most of these companies are breaking out fine measurement tools and have pre-established min/max wear on anything that's exposed to potential wear. Knowing these things are good for 200k-300k miles, I'd prefer to have the corpse of an older 200k-300k resurrected than deal with the unknowns of something manufactured more recently. The reality is, and this adage holds up even today, "they don't make 'em like they used to!"

With reman on a part like this, you're getting the best of both worlds. The awesomeness of what I think was probably superior metal and casting back in the day, along with modernized electronics. It's a win-win. I wouldn't want to pay the exponentially higher price to get a new part, manufactured using modern restrictions and supplies.

 

Not much goes wrong with those Denso starters. Contacts and plunger are about it. I bought a contact repair kit online. came with both contacts and the plunger. 24.00 plus shipping. It literally takes 7 minutes to swap those parts out of the starter. Did that on both of my 4runners and my Tundra. Hardest part is removing and installing the starter. Gotta do that anyway even if you replace with a reman starter. Difference is that you still get your factory starter and you know the new parts are installed correctly. Might be worth a look.

In my experience, when a Toyota starter goes out, it does so slowly. You begin having to turn the key multiple times to bump the starter. Gets worse as time goes on.

 

Oh I like that idea - what kit did you buy? And from what website? Thanks for the idea!

 

http://www.yotarepair.com/startercontacts.html

This is the site I used before. Been several years so I don't know how they are now, but they were great to work with when I used them. There are also ebay stores but some of them may be Chinesium parts. The above source uses quality full copper parts.

Edit: looks like the kits are not on the site anymore. I'll see if I can find a Denso source....

Edit again: This kit is the one I bought but linked through the first site. Anyway, here you go. https://www.ebay.com/itm/224297874007?fits=Year:2000|Model:Tundra