Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Best place to get a new starter

[KMott]

I have determined that my slow cranking problem is a weak starter, and i am looking to replace it. Is it worth spending the $369. 00 at larry b's to get the nippondenso?

Will an ebay one for $90 or other aftermarket starter work just as good? I already have the larry b. contacts in mine, so i could change them over to an aftermarket starter. Just trying to justify spending 4 times as much on an oem starter. Thanks for any input.

 

[bnbrown]

I use Larry Bs contact in my starters also, but I did R&R a starter for a friend, she just got a reman from Autozone. Unit has been in for a year and no problems with it, only issue we had was they sold her the wrong unit the first time (it was a 2002, and their catalog had the newer gen as 02, rather than it being a 24valve 2nd gen). I dont remember if they are the same starter in the 12valves, so not sure if that helps you any with your decision

 

[EKlem]

I believe that LarryB used to sell other starters but stopped because they were not lasting. I would spend the extra money for the peace of mind.

 

[tgordon]

You could also find a local shop to rebuild your old starter, and keep the contacts in it. When I replaced mine the contacts were shot, I used them as razors, and the guts just needed to be cleaned so it would work better. Hence I ponied up the $$$$$$. If you wanted to try and save some, go to the local auto parts store and get a Nippy and swap the contacts you have in yours over, and then return it to them.

 

[Fordiesel69]

I have determined that my slow cranking problem is a weak starter, and i am looking to replace it. Is it worth spending the $369. 00 at larry b's to get the nippondenso?

Will an ebay one for $90 or other aftermarket starter work just as good? I already have the larry b. contacts in mine, so i could change them over to an aftermarket starter. Just trying to justify spending 4 times as much on an oem starter. Thanks for any input.

Generally a starter shop can freshen it up for under $100. New brushes, cut and clean the commutator, replace bearings and lube the gear reduction. Better than a chinese reman that has unknown components.

 

[Joe G.]

Watch out for those reman starters. A friend of mine had one in a '96. The little clip fell off the nose so the gear did too. That jammed between the torque convertor and the bell housing. We had to remove the transmission to get it out which was not easy since we could not rotate the engine. Had to remove the transmission and let the torque convertor hang on the flex plate until we could get the starter gear out of there.

 

[WilsonJohn]

The local starter shop can be a good way to go. A starter is pretty simple and only the worn parts need replaced.



I bought an old diesel tractor with a giant gear reduction starter on it. I didn't know the key switch was sticking in the start position so the first time I drove the tractor I drove it with the starter engaged until it fried. And it was really fried. A replacement would have been $400 but the local starter shop repaired it for $60 and it works great.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Another vote for a local starter/alternator shop. . . that's the route I've gone for great results at a low price.