Starter will not engage, just clicks, when turning ignition switch first few times while trying to start when engine is cold. If I turn the wheel to the left and right a few times, and then turn the key, starter will engage and engine starts immediatley. Battery is new and connection clamps have been cleaned.
There are contacts located inside the solenoid of the starter that fail with age.
As the contacts where down, the starter likes to 'stick' and can take
many tries to start, often requiring jostling like turning the wheel.
There are two options to correct this. The first obviously is to replace the starter.
To save some money you can replace the contacts instead.
Doing this requires unhooking your battery and removing the starter from the car.
Then remove the access plate on the back of the solenoid (3 8mm bolts), take out the plunger and spring. From there you can see the copper contacts, and how they have worn. Remove the 12m and 14mm on either side of the housing and push the bolts through to release the contacts and install new in the same order they came apart.
If you are taking this to a repair shop, be advised most independent shops will just try to sell you a $450 starter. Provide them these instructions or take it to a Toyota dealer and ask for "starter contacts" and they will know exactly what you need.
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