How to Replace a Starter
The starter is where it all begins. Your car is just sitting there and ready to go, but it won’t. A charge is supposed to be sent to the starter and then to the alternator from the battery, but it doesn’t happen. It’s time to replace the starter.
Replacing the starter is not one of your easier automotive projects, but it can be done with some patience.
Required Materials
Car Starter
Duct tape
Required Tools
Ratchet set (metric)
Crescent wrenches
Car jack
Flood light
Marker
Step One: Preparation
Begin the task by pulling the vehicle onto two jack stands or jack the vehicle up to allow access from below. Make sure that the brake is set and chalk blocks are placed behind the rear wheels. Remove the negative battery cable from the battery and make sure it is placed safely out of the way. Be very careful not to touch any electrical contacts when working under a vehicle.
Step Two: Finding the starter
Each and every model of vehicle will have a different location for its starter. Begin by looking on the drivers’ side of the vehicle near the manifold. It will most often look like an eight inch tube about five to six inches in diameter. One end will have air type holes all the way around the cylinder. There will be two electrical connections and one mounting connection to attach it to the block.
On older model cars, it may be readily accessible from the top of the engine. More likely, however, it will be down in the engine compartment and just enough left of the center, when looking from the front of the car.
Step Three: Remove Connections
There will be two electrical connections and one (most likely) mounting connection on the starter. Remove the electrical cables and mark each of them with a note indicating from which connection point they came. Tape these cables to the engine so that they are out of the way.
Remove the mounting connection with the appropriate ratchet or Crescent wrench. Depending upon the age of the vehicle, this connection can be difficult to remove. A little DW-40 may be needed along with a soaking period and a little muscle. Be careful not to use too much force. Stripping the bolt or breaking the stem will definitely destroy your day and necessitate a trip to the garage. After the connections have been removed, remove the starter.
Step Four: Replace the Starter
Install the new starter in the reverse order of how the starter was removed. Be sure that the electrical connections go on in the right place. Remove the marking tape so that it does not burn. Remember that there is a core charge attached to the new starter motor. You can return the old starter for a refund of the core charge.
Step Five: Start It Up
Attach the negative battery cable to the battery and tighten the connection. Start the engine to make sure that all connections have been made properly.