Click Click
LandCruiser won’t start
first time

From: Kevin "prado20012001" <kevin@k...>

Date: Tue Feb 1, 2005 4:34 pm

Subject: No starter when turn key, sometimes

Hi Guys,

Something new has started happening with my 2001 3.4 GXL. When you turn the key to start the car the ignition lights come on but when turned to 'Start' just a click and then nothing happens. Turn it back to Ignition and wait a second and it starts normally. Anyone had this happen before??

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From: Geoff: "geoffq2001" <geoff@q...>

Kevin,

I had a similar problem last year, cost $100 or so to get the solenoid contacts replaced in the starter motor. See a good auto eleccy.

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From: Phil <pgaukrog@b...>

Kevin,

This is a very common LandCruiser problem.

It is caused by crap/burning out of the solenoid contacts within the starter motor. Any autoelectrician that replaces the whole starter for a huge sum should be charged with malpractice :-((

On two previous LandCruisers I've replaced the solenoid contacts with stronger, bigger, better Echlin brand contacts at a cost of about $20 from memory. Problem fixed.

Shop around the autoelectricians. Whenever I've needed the help of an autoelectrician I've gone to a retired guy who still works from home. He's old fashioned - takes the thing apart and fixes it rather than exchange the whole thing. But this job can be a DIY one.

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The following fix is reproduced from the Gregory’s Prado V6 workshop manual #518 Page 89.