Though generally a highly durable engine component, the starter in your Toyota often fails from minor causes such as a loose or corroded power wire. Either of the two problems limits the current your starter requires to function correctly. Your engine may start initially but have problems starting again once you have turned off the engine. Corroded wires may cause your starter to catch fire during repeated attempts to start your engine. You can remove the starter and inspect or repair any of its wiring in your 3.4-liter Toyota engine right at home. The total repair time for this do-it-yourself job should not exceed 90 minutes.
Raise the hood on your Toyota, and remove the negative battery cable from its post with a socket wrench. Once you remove the cable, position it along the side of the battery to prevent it from accidentally contacting the battery during the repair.
Remove the ignition key, and apply your Toyota's emergency brake. Place a hydraulic jack directly beneath the frame rail behind the front passenger-side tire. Raise your vehicle 10 to 12 inches, then position your jack stand beside the hydraulic jack for added support.
Slide under your Toyota, and position yourself on the passenger's side of the engine. Right where the engine and transmission come together, you should see a metal, tubular component with two wires connected to it; this is your Toyota's starter.
Unplug the small black wiring harness connected to the side of the starter, and tuck the wire back out of the way. Lift up the rubber cap covering the second wire, then slide the cap rearward on the wire. Remove the nut holding the second wire onto your Toyota's starter with a socket wrench. Lift the wire off its terminal, and tuck it back alongside the first wire you unplugged.
Locate the starter's two mounting bolts at its base. At the rear of the starter's base—mounting location—you will see both upper and lower bolts. Remove the upper bolt first with your socket wrench, and place it in your pocket. Place one hand on the starter to support it, and begin removing your starter's lower bolt. Put the second bolt in your pocket as well, then lower the starter away from its mounting position.
Lift your Toyota's new starter into the mounting position. Support the starter once more with one hand while threading each of the starter's mounting bolts with the other. Continue supporting the starter while you tighten and secure the lower mounting bolt with your socket wrench. Release the starter, and secure the upper mounting bolt in place with your socket wrench as well.
Plug the black wiring harness plug, which you tucked away, into your Toyota's new starter. Place the second wire onto the terminal of the new starter, return its mounting nut and secure it in place with your socket wrench. Slide the rubber cap back down the second wire, and place it back over the nut on the starter.
Remove all your tools from beneath the vehicle, and remove the jack stand. Lower the hydraulic jack slowly until your Toyota completely rests back on the ground. Connect and secure the negative battery cable to its post on your vehicle's battery with a socket wrench. Shut the hood, and disengage the emergency brake. Start your Toyota's 3.4-liter engine to check the repair.
