Starter Issue - Starter just spins but does not engage the engine flywheel to start - '07 5.7L

Ok Gents/Ladies,

I am having a weird issue I am trying to troubleshoot. I have a 2007 Tundra 5.7l with 280k miles on it. When I go to crank it... I only get the Starter to spin but I do not hear the Starter Gear engage the engine fly wheel to start the car. I was getting late to work so the only troubleshooting I did was to ensure my battery cables where on tight. I cleaned the battery terminals as well. I didn't even get a chance to see how much voltage is on the battery.

I am thinking the starter fuse should be good else, it would not allow me to even crank the starter. The immobilizer is working as I am able to crank and hear the start spin.

To me it looks like the starter solenoid is not fully engaging but maybe it is..any help would be great.

Anyways here's the video where you can see issue I am dealing with.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ERHVhgzW2CbpRsYr5

 

When the starter went out on my '08 (I think at about 220k) it was the solenoid that failed... Replaced the entire unit and the issue was resolved.

Here's the OE unit for $189....

https://www.lithiatoyotaparts.com/oem-parts/toyota-2007-2020-toyota-starter-281000s050?c=Zz1lbGVjdHJpY2FsJnM9c3RhcnRlciZsPTEmbj1Bc3NlbWJsaWVzIFBhZ2UmYT10b3lvdGEmbz10dW5kcmEmeT0yMDA4JnQ9c3I1JmU9NS03bC12OC1nYXM=

I believe they sell just the solenoid as well for about $60, but that unit is an absolute bitch to get to... So, I'd just spend the money on the full unit since labor costs/your time will be about the same either way.

PS>> just make sure part #s are correct for your vehicle by entering VIN prior to purchase. I'm not sure if they are different on the smaller engines, etc...

 

FYI, the final fix for this was the daam starter. I replaced the starter and everything is good now.

BTW replacing the starter on a 4x4 was no joke. It was easily a 5-6 hr job if this is not your main job. I did it without removing the manifold or exhaust.

Some insights to changing the Starter.

1. Remove the oil dip stick tube and get it out of your way. Else it will always come in your way.
- Remove the 3 shields... 2 are made of flexible aluminum which is the only good thing about them. the middle one is small made of aluminum but not flexible.

• Remove the outer one first. it has 3 10mm bolts iirc.
• Remove the middle one 2nd but this one has 1 bolt that you likely needs a flex head wrench b/c the bolt is in the inner side of the manifold bracket. Shown Fig1 below in red the bolt you need to access from the inside using a flex head wrench. I think its 10mm.
• Remove the inner starter heat shield which again has a bolt that you cannot see b/c its being blocked by the manifold.

Fig 1

- Remove the coolant hose bracket bolt to give you some room to get to the lower and upper starter bolts.
- Remove the lower 2 coolant hoses (circled in blue) to remove the upper starter bolt which was the most difficult part of this install. Most others were able to get to the upper starter bolt, which I tried but could not get to it. But its way easier just removing the coolant hoses and coolant hose bracket bolt (if you follow the coolant hoses you will see the metal bracket and bolt holding the coolant hoses in place) its about 8 in above the coolant hoses


Fig 2

4. Finally removing the starter you will need to do 1 important step. SEPERATE the Solenoid from the Starter (the one that has the starter wires going into) See Fig 3 - The red bolds is what you need to take off the solenoid from the starter.. after taking the solenoid bolts off you need to wiggle the solenoid off from the starter. - Also shown here in this vid - https://youtu.be/kV65l43lMTg?t=208

By separating the starter and solenoid you will be able to take the starter out from the space shown in fig 4.


Fig 3

- Once the starter and solenoid is separated you can remove the starter in the space below. In between the front axel and the frame. - here's a vid of the area in question below - https://youtu.be/kV65l43lMTg?t=248
here's a vid of him shoving the starter and disconnected solenoid through - https://youtu.be/kV65l43lMTg?t=315


Fig 4. Area you need to remove the starter from - See vid link.

- BTW the solenoid rear wire clip will not come out in one piece b/c of all the heat cold cycles it goes through. See Fig 5.
I just ordered some before hand and used some pliers to break apart the old one and expose the wire terminal. It was brittle so it was easy to do break apart to get to the wire. I then put the existing wire terminal into the new plug.

Toyo Part number - 90980-11400 - Generic part number - 6189-0413

- In the end I had to add 1 gallon of coolant as well as I lost about that much removing my coolant tubes.


Fig 5.

 

Great write up and follow up post.... Tons of helpful info for someone that may want to tackle this on their own

If you can, try and post this up in the tutorial section of the forum under the proper gen, etc... It will make it much easier for others to find in the future.

DIY, Modifications & Tutorials

Glad you got it resolved and were able to save some $$$ by doing the work yourself!!!