So my 85 Toyota pickup has the problem alot of toyotas have, the starter wont spin. So I've fixed it numerous times and now it wont start again. So I put power from the battery directly to the bendix wire on the starter, which is through a switch and a fuse and it starts. So how dangerous is my setup. Im just tired of this stupid problem.

I'm not too familiar w/ 'yota starters so bear with me! Are these starters 2 wire (one big one going to the battery and a smaller one going to the keyswitch) or are they one wire? If it's 2 wire, and you are just switching the power on the smaller wire, I think what you have is safe (just have fuse close to the battery). If the starter is a single wire type, the starter will pull way too much current through the switch and can cause problems. What you;d want to do is place a solenoid between the starter and battery and hook your switch to the coil wire of the solenoid. The solenoid is designed to handle this kind of current.

I don't think you're entirely incorrect in using the term solenoid, but do you mean relay?

Functionally, I think of solenoids as doing actual mechanical stuff where relays allow/interrupt current flow. Just wanted to clarify cuz in this case he'll be dealing with both. The solenoid will be whats actually engaging the gear to spin the engine where the relay will be giving the solenoid juice to engage that gear.

Yeah I know...Relay...For some reason, auto part stores call the high current relays used for starters solenoids. I think they use that term because the starters in chevys use a solenoid to push the gear into the flywheel and energize starter motor. I was just tring to stick with the wording they use.

toys do the same thing almost. when the starter is energized a plunger is pulled by a coil and that plunger engages the contacts and also engages the gear.http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Images/starter-after.jpg

i hope 4crawler isnt pissed that i keep posting pics from his site. it has so much info.

he also has directions to fix it. and he sells contacts. :D

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml

Balsax it is a 2 wire starter. The bendix wire doesn't see alot of power at all. And its the wire that tells it to spin up from the ignition, and it doesn't give the power. So I think its pretty safe with a 30amp fuse in there.

I think you should good with your setup, then.