Starter Motor Replacement
Before you start make sure you clean the battery terminals to ensure you have all the current necessary to work the starter motor, and if replacing the starter, have blocks of wood to block wheels and put under the axle once you jack up the car. Also don't forget to have socket wrenches available to do the work, and disconnect the battery before doing this job.
The starter motor is fairly easy to replace and only requires a few wrenches. A rebuilt motor may run between 39 and 69 dollars at Checkers, or you could replace the brushes for a dollar or two if you can find some brushes.
Essentially the starter motor is a big electrical DC motor that requires a lot of juice from your battery to throw out a throw-out gear. This large gear engages with the very large flywheel on the engine and forces it to turn, turning over the engine and getting the cylinders to spark and combust and get going without the need of the starter (now running on spark and combustions from gas and air).
The starter is about 12 inches long and requires 3 or 4 bolts to fasten it underneath the car. It will have 2 wires going to it. One big wire comes from the battery to provide the large amount of current to turn the engine (and that ain't easy), and the other wire is just a ground wire, but is needed to complete the path back to the battery. These wires usually have a star washer and nut to secure them on a copper-plated threaded post to ensure good connectivity. Make sure that your battery terminals are clean and tight as well. This little motor needs all the help it can get to do its job.
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Safety
P.S. You will have to jack up the car, so remember to block the wheels and put something under the axile to prevent it from falling too far. Also, remember to .
Steps
- Disconnect one terminal of the battery to prevent the flow of current (electricity) through your body.
- Put on the emergency brake, block one or two wheel to prevent the car from rolling forward or back, and jack up the car to get more clearance to the starter motor.
- Brush away any debris to prevent bodily harm and lay down an old piece of cardboard or rug to prevent the rocks from pointing into your back.
- Now put on some old clothes (if you have them).
- More your wrenches over close to the side of the car.
- Crawl under the car (back side down), and position yourself under the starter motor.
- Obtain the right-sized wrench to remove the electrical wires from your assistant mechanic (if you are lucky enough to have one).
- Remove the electrical wires, making sure that the nut and washer do not get lost. Use WD-40 as needed. Also, when putting these wires back on, don't tighten the bolts too tight. The bolt may be fairly soft and it can break off, which is a yucky situation.
- Use care when removing bolts to prevent from being damaged.
- Now loosen the bolts that secure the starter motor, again using care not to damage the head of the bolt. Socket wrenches work best in this situation if you have room, or use a box-end wrench otherwise.
- Now support the starter motor with one hand and remove the bolts all the way.
- Dig a little hole in your backyard about two feet deep.
- Now place the little guy in the hole and cover with dirt.
- Say a few appropriate words for the long enduring effort that this guy gave throughout his life to make your car function every morning for years and years.
- Now put the new starter motor in place by reversing the removal procedure (except for the above three steps).
This completes the step by step instructions. Some day I hope to add a few pictures to this web page. Please pardon my humor; when fixing a car I'm sure a little humor will help this sometimes otherwise frustrating activity. Note, however, that frustration gets caused by tight bolts, so have the proper tools and a pipe and a helper to minimize frustration.
After the job has successfully been done, give your helper a big reward, take a hot shower, and give your wife a big kiss. This all helps put a topper on a tough day, and enables you to face the next challenge that comes your way.
The best to you, in all that you do and pursue.
..... Gerry
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