replacing the starter motor
Give yourself an hour or two
This replacement should take a just over an hour at most, and if you have already removed the old starter, and have got all the right tools lined up near you, it should be a piece of cake.
Make sure it is the starter
If you are still trying to determine whether or not your starter motor is bad, check out the starter motor diagnosing steps below. Another great way to be completely sure it’s the starter motor is to remove it, and take it to your local parts store – they will be able to verify on their testing machine, and help you get a new replacement.
Disconnect the battery
Since most Starter motors tend to be accessible on the underside of the vehicle – at the bottom of the engine - you will most likely need to raise up the vehicle. Make sure it is in the spot you want it to be, because next you are going to turn your vehicle off, disconnect the negative battery cable – which is always the black cable.
Identify the cables
Once you have access to the starter motor, first record the location of the plugs and cables, and make sure you know where each one is attached, grab a phone and take a quick picture for reference later. Next disconnect the plugs and wire connections and move them out of the way.
Check for shims
Before removing the starter, do a quick visual inspection, look for any shims that might have been added to help align the starter cogs to the flywheel. Note their position and save them, you will need to put them back in the same position once you install the new starter.
Remove the starter
Loosen the bolts holding the starter in place, and then support the starter while you remove the bolts. You can then tilt the starter and pull it away from the engine case.
Inspect for damage
Inspect starter drive teeth for damaged pinions. If drive is damaged, it is extremely important that you inspect the flywheel or ring gear for broken or worn teeth. A broken or worn ring gear must be replaced or it will damage the new starter and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Compare the parts
Check and compare the original starter to the replacement starter. All mounting holes, wire and plug connectors, and hardware should be compatible. Some vehicle manufacturers use more than one starter manufacturer. Slight differences in the starter's appearance will not affect the performance of the starter.
Install new starter
Install the replacement starter reusing all mounting hardware from the original starter. Refer to vehicle repair manual and torque nuts and bolts to the manufacturer's required specifications.
Re-connect cables to starter
Reconnect all electrical connections of the replacement starter to the correct terminals. It is important that all connectors be clean and fit properly.
Re-connect battery cables
Reconnect battery cable, connecting positive connections first.
troubleshoot your STARTER MOTOR
NO START CONDITION
When you try to start the vehicle, and the starter motor does not turn, you might hear a click, or nothing. Follow the steps below to quickly diagnose whether it is the starter motor, or some other problem.
ANTI THEFT
Check to see if the vehicle has an anti-theft feature. If the anti-theft system is having an a problem, it will not let the engine turn over. If you think this might be the problem, replace the battery in the key fob, and if it persists, you will need to get to a dealership to fix the problem.
BATTERY VOLTAGE
Battery voltage – DC voltage 20v. System voltage should not exceed 20. Check the voltage of the battery. You want to see at least 12.4v, the optimal is 12.6. If it is 12v, that wont be enough.
BATTERY COLD CRANKING
You can also use one of these fangle dangled tools which checks whether the battery internals are good, by doing a CCA test. The critical measurement is CCA – cold cranking amps, Running a test on the battery will help to determine the overall health of the battery, and will tell you if its not good.
CHECK CABLES + CONNECTIONS
Having a constant connection with the terminals is important for the car to function properly. Check for any visible corrosion or rust on either the terminal or cable clamp. Look for problems with the cables if there are any cracks or fraying along the cable. Finally check for burnt or loose connections on or around the terminals.
CONSULT YOUR OWNERS MANUAL
In the event that no solution was reached, seek wiring and installation instructions. These can be attained from a store, online or call our hotline for free information.