How to replace a car starter?

The starter is used to crank the engine for the first time by turning the ignition key or by pushing the start button to start position. As the key turns to start, the starter will rotate the flywheel, and the engine will crank, enabling it to fire up.

After several years of usage, the starter will have several problems. One of them requires replacement with a new starter. Replace a car starter is hard to do because it needs some know-how for safety and precaution.

In this article, we want to give some information about how to replace a car starter. But, this article is mostly acceptable with Japanese regular cars model such as Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda, etc. Here step by step on how to replace a starter.

I. Preparation before replacing a car starter

Before we starts on how to replace a car starter, we have to prepare and implement safety procedures to make this project successful. Here are some preparation and safety procedures to replace a car starter.

• Make sure the car is parked on a flat surface, put the transmission lever in a park or neutral position, and pull the handbrake.
• Some car models need to lift the vehicle to reach the starter. In this case, you need a jack to lift the car and a jack stands to secure its position. Read your service manual book for better preparation to lift the vehicle.
• To remove a starter, we need to cut off the electric current from the battery by opening the negative battery terminal. Be sure that this action doesn't interfere with other electric components in your cars, such as resetting the ECM (Engine Control Module) or the Audio system.
• It is better to open half your front window glass. Take your ignition key out from the car to prevent door locking while connecting or disconnecting the battery terminal.
• Prepare a set of hand tools such as socket spanner, ratchet, and box spanner.

After we have finished the preparation, it is time to start to replace a car starter. Here are step by steps to replace a car starter

II. Removing the starter motor

The first step to remove the starter is to disconnect the negative battery terminal using a hand tool. After disconnected, it is better to cover up the terminal cable with plastic or a towel to prevent the terminal contacted with the battery. Proceed to the next step using the picture below for the order of disassembly

1. Disconnect the socket called terminal 50 (see No 1 on the picture above)
2. Remove the nut connecting terminal 30 (see No 2) using a socket or box spanner. Remove and disconnect the wiring harness from the solenoid starter.
3. Remove the starter retaining bolts (see No.3 and No.4) using socket and ratchet. If needed, add some extension bar for better grip.
4. Remove the starter out of the engine. The starter is likely to be fairly heavy, so be careful about removing out from the engine.

Tips:

• Before installing the new starter, it is better to compare it with the older one to verify it will fit. Refer to a product or installation bulletins packaged with the starter.
• Transfer any heat shield and brackets (if equipped) to the replacement starter.
• Inspect the flywheel teeth for any damage

Read also:

• Car starter problems and issues
• Here's why your car wont start clicking noise

III. Replace with new starter

1. Place the new starter in the old starter's position. Make sure the new starter is fitted in place and following the position of the bolt's hole.
2. Put the retaining starter bolts back to their position. Turn it with your hand first to ensure the bolt was plugin properly and tighten it with specific torque.
3. Connect the wiring harness of terminal 30 back to its' position and also put the nut. Tighten the nut sufficiently.
4. Connect the terminal 50 sockets back to the solenoid starter. Make sure it's tight enough.
5. Recheck all the new starter installations before proceeding to the next steps.
6. Reconnect the negative battery terminal and tighten it with specific torque.
7. Start your engine and recheck all the installation.