Starter Problem 1JZ

**yotamotion** · 01-03-2011, 10:48 PM

Ok had this problem for a little while and is gradually getting worse and really starting to peeve me off now because I cant think what it could be.
I have a 1JZ in an MZ20. For quite a while now every now and then I can turn the key between 5-10 times and only hear the solenoid working, then it cranks. more recentley though the problem has progressed to not starting when the engine is hot, and when turning the key I dont even hear the solenoid working.
Strange thing is, I can turn the car off when hot, and if I try to start it again within about 10-15 minutes, it will start. Anything after that it wont even get the solenoid click and I have to wait for anything up to an hour before it will start. I pulled the starter out and checked it: brushes appear ok and the copper ring contact in the motor appear ok, and the starter motor and solenoid bench tested perfect. I replaced the starter with another (albeit the only one I could find at a wreckers- off a 7MGTE), and I'm having nearly the same problem. The car always starts now first turn of the key when cold, but is having the hot start problem, but this time I can hear the solenoid working. I got someone to jump start just to see what would happen and hey presto it started. Battery is about 2 months old (760 CCA) and alternator was recoed at the same time.
Any suggestions?

Edit: PS- I should add that 'hot' means highway driving for at least about 20 minutes... short drive down to the shops and back isn't usually a problem even though it gets to op temp.

2nd edit: Also should add that when it doesn't start, when I'm turning the key time after time, I can hear two relays working, one in the passenger kick panel and one in the fuse box under the bonnet

**JZA70R_92** · 02-03-2011, 01:54 AM

mine is doing ive also installed a stater relay on a mates A70 which fixed the issue but Ive heard it could be masking a problem with the contacts in the starter. My problem was not getting enough voltage from ignition system voltage drop was alot only getting 2 volts at starter wire.

**pandaah** · 02-03-2011, 01:57 AM

mate take out the starter motor, it sounds like your solenoid.. if its the following type of toyota starter heres a link to rebuild it..

http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wa...r-rebuild.html

if you dont have the above starter motor.. just go down to a sparky and get him to chuck a newie in and/or bench test it for ya

=) .. mines doing the same shit but im too lazy to fix it lol

**JZA70R_92** · 02-03-2011, 02:15 AM

is it easy enough pandaah?

**pandaah** · 02-03-2011, 02:31 AM

piece of piss man.. takes like 10mins and if you find a honest auto sparky those contacts are worth no more then $20.. and clean everything nice inside, light scrub with sand paper.. just be careful when you open it up not to loose shit lol..

if thats the type of starter motor you have, even the normal type of solenoid is only 2 screws to replace anyway..

problem is when the contacts in a starter wear it does take a higher voltage to trigger the solenoid thats why it doesnt sometimes show up in a bench test cos ur hooking it straight up to a car battery

**big_zop** · 02-03-2011, 09:31 AM

I had the exact same problem and even though both my starter and battery were shot, I still had problems once they were reconditioned/replaced.

As JZA70R_92 mentioned, it was fixed by installing a starter relay - details on how to install one can be found here.

**yotamotion** · 04-03-2011, 07:05 PM

Well pulled the starter motor out today and yes... one of the contacts was nearly burnt through. It was only $9 for a new one from the sparkie and was a piece of piss to pull down and reco the starter motor. I think it actually took me longer to get the starter out of the car than what it did to reco it! Hopefully this will fix the problem.. but if it doesn't I think a starter relay will be the next step.

**pandaah** · 04-03-2011, 10:40 PM

good to hear mate.. yes contacts should always be replaced first before putting a starter relay in place, unless youve done voltage drop tests and are satisfied that its definetly the problem..

**yotamotion** · 06-03-2011, 09:02 PM

Ok looks like its a starter relay... still having probs. Hopefully it will fix it this time..

**George** · 07-03-2011, 02:29 PM

Could be the neutral start switch as well.

**yotamotion** · 24-03-2011, 08:24 PM

Ok now been nearly 3 weeks since I installed the starter relay and haven't had any probs at all. Thanks to those who suggested it, it was a piece of piss to put in and cheap as well..... I just wish I had of known about it b4 buying the second starter motor and doing the contacts in it lol. But on the other hand I now have a starter motor and solenoid (7M) which can be fully pulled apart and serviced unlike the 1J solenoid which you cant get into.