simple starter question

[turdsmell#2]

Hi all, are the two different starter types interchangable?

[Petros]

I think so, in fact I think they use the same starter in the corolla and celica as well. I presume you say two types, meaning the two different ones used in the Tercel over its production run? Should be interchangeable, all the mating parts are the same (flywheel, bell housing, engine block).

Why do you ask?

[turdsmell#2]

My parts car has the traditional and my runner has the reduction gear starter. My runner is just clicky clicky, so I figured swappy swappy. Btw thanks petros, you always come through.

[Highlander]

If your gear reduction starter is just clicking, the fix, once you have it out, is to pull the back plate off of the solenoid, remove the center piece, and then replace the contact on the side of the starter that connects to the battery (The side that doesn't connect to the starter motor itself). the contacts are about $3 ea and I've never (so far) run into one that needs both contacts replaced. I always clean up the center piece contact ring with some Scocthbrite when I do this. I keep one starter on the bench with new contacts, and whenever I pull a starter I swap it out and check it for wear.