Does anyone know how to change a starter on a 1985 Tercel?

[mikerosen]

Hi, I'm new to this and I'm a bit desperate for help, so hopefully someone here will know the answer.

Does anyone know how to change a starter on a 1985 Tercel?

[Typrus]

Shine a flashlight near it. 2 bolts hold it in.
Before you try, disconnect the Neg terminal on the battery and make sure it won't make contact inadvertantly.
When you look underneith, you'll see a fitted connection and a bolted connection. The bolted connection is straight Pos. thus you disconnect the negative to prevent shock. The press-on goes through the ign. key to tell the strater when to work and when not to.

The 2 hold-on bolts come off, the bolted and fitted connections come off, then it just slides out.


Good luck.

[splatterdog]

If the starter clicks but does not turn over it's probably just the solenoid contacts in the starter. If you are handy these are pretty easy to do(once the starter is out). They are right underneath the tin cover right near the Battery+ terminal

[HomeSkool]

My starter just went on me I think,

Mine is 87 not 85,
Is it much diffrent than a 85 to change it out?
I can find a used one for about $50, but I want to try to change it myself,

When I try to start it up the headlights dim greatly like
the power is trying to turn it but nothing is happening,
Does this sound like it might be the solenoid contacts?
I hear a clicking sound but I'm pretty sure it is comming
from under the dash and not the starter,
It randomly works but usally not, when it does it kinda sounds
scratchy and scary, so I'm pretty sure the entire thing is toast.

Anyone have any advice before I dive into this task?
Never have done this before
Thanks,
Tom

[keith]

I think I only paid $50 for a reman at Autozone, lifetime warrantee.

[HomeSkool]

Also, the auto wrecker people I talked to think their starter is from an 83, Since mine is an 87 I am unsure if they are the same?
Has anyone had any experience with this?

[takza]

Also, the auto wrecker people I talked to think their starter is from an 83, Since mine is an 87 I am unsure if they are the same?
Has anyone had any experience with this?

* they should have a cross reference to say whether they will interchange?

* sounds to me more like a battery/charging problem...have the battery checked....and check the battery and alternator for output voltage. Failing battery or not a good charge?

[Typrus]

If it works sometimes and not others.... Will you be able to click itseveral times and have it catch? If thats the case its likely solenoid contacts. If the same,but it cranks real slowly, charging system or faulty connections.

How clean are your battery terminals? You just might be surprised what a difference clean terminals will make. Under the connections too. Not just on top.

[Petros]

The starter could be bad but there is a lot of things can make it appear the starter is bad, so check these first: Both the pos and neg terminals on the battery must be clean (use a wire brush or a terminal cleaner from an auto parts store), also if the heavy cable is clamped into the pos terminal, clean that too. Check the ground cable on the engine is also is in good condition at both ends (pull it hard, and make sure there is no corrosion at either end). also check that the wire connections on the starter are in good condition. You should also have the condition of the batter checked, most places that sell car batteries will test yours for free.

One way a starter fails is to have the windings burn out, causing it to draw way more power than it should (which yours sounds like it is doing). So if it is the starter, it is not difficult to change. Take the battery all the way out of the car, it will give you more room to work and you will not accidentally arch the terminals. You will need a socket wrench since it will not be easy to unbolt it without sockets (I think they are 14 mm IIR). Once unbolted it will slide back and out, and then you can remove the heavy wire from the battery, the small solonoid wire has a plug that just pulld out when you liftl the little locking tab up.

Though it does happen I think starter failures are rare on these cars, I have owned three, all with 200k plus miles on them, and all had the original starter!

BTW, I once put off replacing my starter on my Nissan for over a year by always parking on a hill, and roll staring by let out the clutch when in 2nd gear after it rolls about 5 to 10 feet. (my driveway has a slope so I always could start it to leave in the morning). You if you have to you can always push start it until it is fixed.

Good luck,

[keith]

HomeSkool, Your problem does sound a lot like a weak battery or bad connection. If the starter brushes were worn out or the solenoid was bad, it wouldn't draw much current so your lights wouldn't dim all that much. If the solenoid coils are shorted turn to turn inside, then it could cause those symptoms.

There are two types of starters for this car, but I believe that both are interchangeable so it doesn't matter which one you get.

[Typrus]

I believe the gear reduction ones last longer, but I may be wrong. Thats all I've ever seen on Terc's actually now that I come to think of it... But I know a direct-drive is available.