How to Change the Starter Motor in a Toyota 22RE
by Christian Killian
The Toyota 22RE four-cylinder engine was used in several vehicle models over the years but it was most common in the Toyota pickup trucks. The engine is basically a fuel-injected version of the earlier 22R carbureted engine. Many of the components on the 22R are interchangeable with the 22RE. The starter motor is one of those components. It sits on the passenger’s side of the engine at the back and attaches to the bell housing.
Step 1
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative battery terminal, using a wrench to loosen the retaining bolt. Lift the cable off the terminal and isolate it from the battery.
Step 2
Raise the front of your Toyota off the ground with a jack and support it on a set of jack stands. Be sure the stands are on solid, flat ground, then remove the jack. Slide under the passenger’s side of the vehicle and locate the starter from below.
Step 3
Locate the two wiring harness connections on the rear of the starter solenoid. The “S” terminal is a push-on connection; pull it straight off the terminal and push it aside. The “B” terminal is a stud terminal; loosen the nut with a socket and ratchet, then remove the wire from it and push it aside.
Step 4
Remove the two mounting bolts at the front of the starter with a socket and ratchet. Pull the starter back from the bell housing, then lower it out of the engine compartment.
Step 5
Raise a new starter motor into place and install the retaining bolt. Tighten the bolts with a socket and ratchet, then connect the two wiring harness connectors to the starter.
Step 6
Place the wire with the ring connector onto the “B” terminal and install the retaining nut and tighten it with a socket and ratchet. Push the second connector onto the “S” terminal, making sure to seat it all the way.
Step 7
Raise the front of the vehicle off the jack stands with a jack, remove the jack stands from under the vehicle and lower it to the ground. Install the negative battery terminal on the negative battery terminal and tighten the retaining bolt with a wrench.
References
- "Toyota Pickup Factory Service Manual"; Toyota Motor Company; 1988
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Socket set
- Ratchet
Writer Bio
Christian Killian has been a freelance journalist/photojournalist since 2006. After many years of working in auto parts and service positions, Killian decided to move into journalism full-time. He has been published in "1st Responder News" as well as in other trade magazines and newspapers in the last few years.
