90 Series TD Starter Motor

I have heard of problems with 1kz-TE starter motors, mainly to do with Surfs, it's possible the same problem has carried on to Prado's, however I don't belive it was real common. Normally they just start to become very hard to start and it sounds and feels like you have a flat battery, but battery changes to not fix it, only a recon starter motor.

You'll like this one.. (though not related to your issue...)

We were on Fraser for two weeks just after Christmas this year - after about a week, the starter motor on my 90 series seized. I think just too much salt, sand and fresh air for it!!

We towed it to the mechanic at Eurong - fun trip, noting tides etc - who charged me $60 plus a carton of beer.

The carton of beer was because he couldn't get the nuts off the starter - he asked me how I had done them up in the past - I replied that I'd had the car since new (02), and no-one had had the starter off to my knowledge..

He had bust four spanners trying to get it off - finally did it by jacking the car up, lodging a spanner on the appropriate nut, lowering the car, spanner etc onto a log, and then getting all his mates to bounce the bull bar!!!

Not sure he was the full quid - anyone who has spoken to him will sympathise - at least he got me going though!!

Haven't heard of any probs with the TD Prados, but they have only been out since 2000. Some of the older V6's have the usual toyota problem of dirty solenoid contacts, with that dreaded click sound when you're trying to start it.