2003 - 2008 Toyota Matrix Starter Replacement DIY, Diagnostics & Bench Testing (also Corolla, Vibe)

This DIY video shows how to troubleshoot and replace the starter for '03 - '08 Toyota Corolla and Matrix (and Pontiac Vibe) and applies to most Toyotas in general. The video shows some "behind the wheel" diagnostics to check before replacing the starter, as well as "in-engine" tests to confirm a faulty starter. The full starter removal and replacement is then shown. Lastly, bench tests are shown. Check the Pinned Comment or below for Timestamps, part numbers, and torque values:
00:28 Initial diagnostics for the no crank/no start condition: verify that you hear the fuel pump
01:32 How to bang on the starter if you're stranded
03:45 More diagnostics: "behind the wheel" tests
06:25 Begin the "under the hood" tests - remove the fan/shroud
09:13 Test 1: Check for proper battery ground
10:48 Disconnect the starter solenoid switch connector
11:28 Test 2: Check for voltage to the starter solenoid wiring harness
14:04 Test 3: Check for voltage to the starter solenoid with the connector in place (back-probe)
19:00 Begin starter replacement - disconnect negative terminal on the battery (10mm)
19:38 Remove the fan/shroud if you haven't already (skip back to 06:25 to see that)
19:44 Location of starter mounting bolts and electrical connections
20:17 Disconnect the B+ post nut (12mm)
20:51 Disconnect the solenoid switch electrical
21:17 Remove two mounting bolts (14mm)
22:48 Remove the starter
23:07 Starter on the bench, Toyota part 28100-0D080-84 (re-man), or Denso 280-0330
24:02 How "core charges" work - save your Toyota box!
25:05 Install the new starter
26:05 Re-install the two mounting bolts (14mm, torque is 27 ft-lbs)
28:18 Inspect/clean the B+ cable end, then reconnect the B+ post nut (12mm, torque is 84 inch-lbs)
29:40 Reconnect the solenoid electrical
30:06 Reconnect the battery
30:39 Test the starter
31:01 Re-install the fan/shroud (two 10mm)
33:42 Inspecting the old starter (FSM procedures)
34:56 Remove the solenoid and plunger (JIS 3 bolts)
38:05 Reassemble solenoid
38:44 Test the solenoid function for proper pull-in/pull-out
45:42 Test the motor
46:59 Check resistance across the motor (less than 0.3 Ohm)
48:00 Test the complete starter function
51:27 Test resistance values
I hope this video was helpful for you.
Thanks for watching, and good luck with your repair!

[@L35inColorado]

Timestamps, Part numbers, Torque values: 00:28 Initial diagnostics for the no crank/no start condition: verify that you hear the fuel pump 01:32 How to bang on the starter if you're stranded 03:45 More diagnostics: "behind the wheel" tests 06:25 Begin the "under the hood" tests - remove the fan/shroud 09:13 Test 1: Check for proper battery ground 10:48 Disconnect the starter solenoid switch connector 11:28 Test 2: Check for voltage to the starter solenoid wiring harness 14:04 Test 3: Check for voltage to the starter solenoid with the connector in place (back-probe) 19:00 Begin starter replacement - disconnect negative terminal on the battery (10mm) 19:38 Remove the fan/shroud if you haven't already (skip back to 06:25 to see that) 19:44 Location of starter mounting bolts and electrical connections 20:17 Disconnect the B+ post nut (12mm) 20:51 Disconnect the solenoid switch electrical 21:17 Remove two mounting bolts (14mm) 22:48 Remove the starter 23:07 Starter on the bench, Toyota part 28100-0D080-84 (re-man), or Denso 280-0330 24:02 How "core charges" work - save your Toyota box! 25:05 Install the new starter 26:05 Re-install the two mounting bolts (14mm, torque is 27 ft-lbs) 28:18 Inspect/clean the B+ cable end, then reconnect the B+ post nut (12mm, torque is 84 inch-lbs) 29:40 Reconnect the solenoid electrical 30:06 Reconnect the battery 30:39 Test the starter 31:01 Re-install the fan/shroud (two 10mm) 33:42 Inspecting the old starter (FSM procedures) 34:56 Remove the solenoid and plunger (JIS 3 bolts) 38:05 Reassemble solenoid 38:44 Test the solenoid function for proper pull-in/pull-out 45:42 Test the motor 46:59 Check resistance across the motor (less than 0.3 Ohm) 48:00 Test the complete starter function 51:27 Test resistance values I hope this video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching, and good luck with your repair!

[@saratempleton5261]

Amazing. I NEVER thought I would be able to diagnose a car issue, or get it started myself! You are SO awesome.

[@L35inColorado]

Fantastic!! Well done on your diagnostics, and thanks for watching! : )

[@pammccorquodale1597]

I have watched innumerable KZbin videos dealing with auto repairs, and yours is the best I've ever seen. You do a wonderful job both technically in terms of lighting, camera angle and sound, and in terms of your clear, succinct explanation as you go. You made it easy to test and replace my starter. Thank you very much.

[@L35inColorado]

Wow, that's great - great job on your DIY!! I'm so glad the video was helpful : ) Thanks for watching!

[@briancraery6390]

I totally agree.

[@vincesina5417]

Great video.. You're talented, soft-spoken, thorough and I wish I met a girl like I'd like to work on cars. I talked to this one girl a long time ago and asked her if she wanted to go camping and she said her idea of camping was going to the Holiday inn. Lol. Didn't want to get your hands dirty I guess. I used to be a mechanic when I was in my teens and twenties before I went to college and then it became more of a hobby, but your video did help me. I have a 2006 Toyota Corolla s that I bought new and modified the suspension it's in great shape it's got about 114k. People gave me shit for because it drives Z88 and a friend of mine who's a Mercedes mechanic called the car. But it's the most reliable and easy to work on car I've ever owned. It saved me a ton cash. I originally bought a new just to use it for about a year and I wanted to be keeping it all this time. I just don't want to let go of my little baby. I hope you keep doing and thanks again!

[@L35inColorado]

Yes, I agree - these are great cars (the Matrix, Corolla, anything else with the 1ZZ-FE). They pretty much just need the normal maintenance and oil changes, and they'll last! Your '06 with just 114K miles should last for a long, long time! Thanks for watching : )

[@richardlopez4563]

I had thought i had seen enough videos on this procedure. Glad I this last one. I will do the testing first just for practice for future R&R's. Thanks for you lesson. It was like being back in high school auto shop.

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! I hope all high schools bring back auto, machine, and wood shop, because that would be great! : )

[@sandybanks2727]

Very well done - great walk-through showing all steps on video. One of the best auto-repair videos I have seen.

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! : )

[@misterwells6555]

Just used your video step by step and I'm back on the road again. Thank you for making this.

[@L35inColorado]

Wow, that's outstanding! Well done on your DIY! Thanks for watching : )

[@RonH_music]

One of the best automotive videos on KZbin i have ever seen! You are a gifted teacher and very intelligent. Keep up the good work.

[@L35inColorado]

Wow, that's very kind - thank you, and thanks for watching! Happy New Year to you : )

[@the7figureteam]

Absolute Best Video I've seen so far on this. A lot of other people's videos they don't take the fan out and remove the starter from underneath the car. I find that to be more work in the end. :) Thanks for the AWESOME Video! "Have a AWESOME Day on Purpose, With Purpose!"

[@L35inColorado]

Thanks - yes, I prefer to work from above on this job, especially if there's any diagnostics required. Thanks for watching! : )

[@2manyhobbies76]

Thank you for this excellent video. It helped me diagnose my problems and fix my daughter's car. Very thorough and good explanation.

[@L35inColorado]

Great job on your diagnosis and repair! Thanks for watching : )

[@Brian_L_5168]

Your starter test proves your deep knowledge & amazing problem solving skill is way beyond a shop foreman! Lucky you, I can't even see my W203 M112 starter from top or bottom or any angle 😅

[@L35inColorado]

Haha, yes this starter is so easy to reach - which is not the case for your W203! "Just bang on the starter" doesn't work so well in that case...unless you have your jack ready, haha. Thanks for watching! : )

[@michaelfrancis4667]

fantastic camera work & commentary ..... I watched a different video before yours. decided to watch one more & glad I did. so much more thorough 👍

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! : )

[@karashervanick4851]

We went to 1:30 and followed the light bang while someone was trying to turn the car on and it worked!!! Thank you so much for the tip- life saver!

[@L35inColorado]

Right on - well done, indeed that trick is handy! Thanks for watching : )

[@clay9969]

this is only a temporary fix fyi

[@Devilman10k]

Thank you for the video. It helped my wife a lot.

[@L35inColorado]

Nice, thanks for watching! : )

[@Katy-Did]

Fantastic video! I love the trick of banging the solenoid and starter motor!!! Very cool! We used to have to change our starter and solenoid a lot in our old 1966 El Camino (after we turned that El Camino into a hot rod, the headers overheated the solenoid constantly). We got to the point where were were about at a "NASCAR pit stop speed" in changing it out that starter/solenoid. We finally put a heat shield on it and that helped a little. When we got stranded somewhere (usually at a gas station--not the best mileage), we resorted to a long thick screw driver to create an electrical arc to get it going again...TOTALLY dangerous...but we were young and dumb. I think we still have that old screw driver somewhere--kept it as a reminder of the "good o'days." Thanks for the detailed video! We will probably be looking at doing this job on our 2001 Tacoma soon.

[@L35inColorado]

Haha, oh boy - the screwdriver trick has saved many people over the decades! Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for watching! : )

[@timhersh4260]

Thank you so much for this video!! Just replaced a 2006 Toyota Matrix starter, went great. Much appreciated!

[@L35inColorado]

Wow, that's great! Great job on your DIY, and thanks for watching! : )

[@nelsonc1687]

Good job!! Woman you worked it pretty good, I like your explanation. I just paid this mechanic $120 dol., to do mine and that didn't fixed my problem. He said that the starter was of low quality. I think he is wrong and is the relay. But i fired him 😅❤✌️

[@pinamenniti6335]

Amazing video and explanation. So detailed and clearly explained. The bets of this kind. Congratulations!!

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you very much, and thanks for watching! : )

[@SusanMullins-gf5rx]

Thank you for this video and the confidence that I could do it myself

[@L35inColorado]

You can do it! Thanks for watching, and good luck! : )

[@SusanMullins-gf5rx]

I totally did it ✌️

[@L35inColorado]

@@SusanMullins-gf5rx Outstanding!! Well done on your DIY!!

[@SusanMullins-gf5rx]

@@L35inColorado ✌️❤️

[@parishemphill5057]

Thank you sssssooooo much I just follow everything you said changed my own starter thank you 🎉🎉

[@L35inColorado]

Wow, outstanding job on your DIY! Thanks for watching : )

[@la-eeqreizenberg7762]

Amazing video, really help me out alot

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! : )

[@mralbert6588]

I disassembled ,cleaned all parts with electrical cleaner and having 40k more miles out of a OEM starter. The OEM must be better than Aftermarket. Try cleaning first and miracles might happen saving millions

[@L35inColorado]

Outstanding - thanks for adding your tips!

[@victorbaird8220]

Thanks for the video 😊

[@L35inColorado]

Thanks, and thanks for watching! : )

[@greyvingonzalez6820]

The best toturial i ever seen, you seve me some mony, thanks.

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you, and thanks for watching! : )

[@daved7024]

Thanks 👍 you're the best. 😊

[@L35inColorado]

Thank you - and thanks for watching! : )

[@user-dv9rw5zp2p]

THANK YOU..... I did it...:)

[@L35inColorado]

Nice!! Well done on your DIY, and thanks for watching! : )

[@andyg5004]

You can rebuild the solenoid or buy it from Toyota and if it has carbon brushes replace those as well.

[@L35inColorado]

Thanks for adding your tips, and thanks for watching! : )

[@ob18133]

great video ! Can you give a link to where you purchased yours from ? My local Toyota won't give info because my vehicle is a 2010 pontiac vibe. Same engine as a corolla. Thanks.

[@L35inColorado]

As far as I know, all 2010 Pontiac Vibes have a different engine than the one shown here: this video shows a 1ZZ-FE,; most '10 Vibes have the 2ZR-FE unless they are GT's - but I'm not very familiar with the various Vibe trim lines. Here is a link to a Toyota parts search site, using a 2010 Matrix (2ZR-FE engine, not 1ZZFE), showing a part number for that model as 28100-0T051-84: parts.longotoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-starter-281000t05184 You should also check GM's parts site, as well as your local sources and parts shops (NAPA usually has pretty good information). The install is likely very similar, but just FYI the 2010 Vibe is not identical to what you see here - the Vibe and Matrix share engine groups for the years '04 - '08, but then things changed in '09 (no more 1ZZ-FE - the 2ZR-FE replaced the ZZ's). I hope that helps - good luck : )

[@Banom7a]

when i bought my part from toyota dealer i just told them it's the same year of the matrix lol, don't have to deal with the parts dept confused "what is a pontiac vibe" make you sure you tell them the engine size as well (or better if you have the P/N out)

[@josu10drum48]

Hi, I have a 2003 Toyota corolla, the dashboard is not digital so I can't see if it goes dark, if I turn on the radio and it turns off would it be a good sign that it is trying to start the starter motor too?... Thank you.

[@L35inColorado]

Yes - and if your instrument cluster has the illumination (as shown in the video) you will also see it "black out" momentarily. I hope that helps - good luck! : )

[@mikehoehn1475]

How many hrs would a shop charge for this ? Good video...thx

[@L35inColorado]

It is a very quick repair, so I can't see an honest shop charging more than 1 hour. But, you never know what you're going to get with a shop these days, unfortunately. I hope that helps - good luck! : )

[@andyg5004]

Hey in your experience how long do the original Denso radiators last for Toyotas. It is more mileage based or age based

[@L35inColorado]

Oh man, the OE Denso radiators can last over 20 years, or over 200K miles! For the ones with the black plastic at the top or the sides, that is the part that eventually fails: the plastic dries out and little thin cracks form, then those tiny cracks seep coolant when hot. Here's an example: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2OwqmOFl7iZmac Other than that, though, the OE radiators last a long, long time!

[@vincesina5417]

Voice recognition screwed up my message. Anyway.......