How to Replace a Starter
A starter is an electrical device that initiates rotational motion in a car’s engine to start it running. Like most parts of an engine, a starter must be replaced after some time of usage to ensure your car’s optimum performance. Replacing a starter may not be quite as easy as other do-it-yourself automotive projects. Yet with some patience and helpful tips, it can be accomplished by just about any car user or aficionado.
Required Materials
- starter
- duct tape
- marker
- car jack
- ratchet set
- crescent wrenches
- floodlight
Steps to Replace a Starter
- Jack the vehicle up to provide access from below. Make sure that the brakes are set and chalk blocks are placed behind the vehicle’s rear wheels.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery and place it safely at a distance. Take care not to touch any electrical contacts while working underneath the vehicle.
- Locate the starter by first searching on the vehicle’s driver side near the manifold. A starter typically looks like an 8-inch tube approximately 5 to 6 inches in diameter. One of its ends has air type holes around the cylinder. In addition, it has two electrical connections and a mounting connection that attaches it to the block.Older vehicle models may have the starter easily accessed through the top of the engine. It is most likely to be found down in the engine compartment, just a little bit left of the center when looking from the front of the vehicle.
- Remove the two electrical connections and the mounting connection. Disconnect the mounting connection with a suitable ratchet or crescent wrench. Remove the starter after removing the connections.
- Mark the electrical and mounting connections to indicate from which connection point they came. They may be taped to the engine to keep them safely out of the way.
- Install the new starter in the reverse sequence of how the old starter was removed. Attach the connections in its right place and take out the marking tapes to keep them from burning. Take note that the new starter motor has a core charge.
- Reattach the negative battery cable to the battery and tighten the connection. Start the vehicle’s engine to check that all the connections have been made properly.
