Starter

[Petermcmxii]

Where is the starter located under the car? And can I replace it on my own?

[00Beast]

Front of the engine, on the bottom, just behind the subframe. If you have any idea what a starter looks like you will find it.

If you have a basic set of sockets and a place to work, It's not hard. Couple bolts and some wiring connections, and reverse.

[01bonneSC]

Disconnect your battery cables first.

[00Beast]

^^^^^^

[Petermcmxii]

Yeah I disconnected my battery yesterday because my Bonnie was having starting issues. The battery was fully charger and when I tried to start my car it wouldn't start. I kept trying and the battery died. I'm going to disconnect my starter and take it to get it tested to see if it needs replacement. It's been having trouble for a while and i should have had to checked a long time ago.

[01bonneSC]

Was the engine turning over when you were trying?

Or

Did you try rapping on it with a hammer while someone tried cranking it?

[Petermcmxii]

Well it tried a few times until the battery died. No I didn't try tapping it the starter while cranking the engine.

[00Beast]

Is it turning over or attempting to? If so, the starter is fine. Sounds like your battery might be the culprit...

[Petermcmxii]

I had the battery checked and they said it was fine and charged it.. I'm going to get the starter tested when I get it taken off today. It was slow cranking for a few days after I got the ICM replaced and finally quit.

[PLAGUE PHANTOM]

I bet your battery cables are bad.

[Petermcmxii]

I pulled off the entire starter housing and solenoid and bother were completely rusted over. I tilted the housing a little bit in the process of removal and one of the lids fell out and so did some of the gears. On the solenoid the grounds were rusted and starting to fall off.


I believe whether or not this was the cause, I believe it was going to be an issue in the near future and needed immediate attenetion especially since I plan to drive to Florida next summer and i live in northeast Tennessee.

[Petermcmxii]

Alright guys. I got the starter taken off, it was completely rusted over and the solenoid connections were in poor shape. But I've got some issues and worries I'd like to get opinions on.

1. When I put in the new starter I pushed it all the way up and both bolt holes were lined up is that right?
2. After getting the battery charged I accidentally left it in the bed of the truck. Would it have shorted the battery?
3. Plague Phantom threw out the possibility of bad battery cables. There is no corrosion on the cables since the battery is under the rear passenger seats (and I checked). How would I test for bad cables?

[PLAGUE PHANTOM]

I here people say just peel back some of the covering on the cables and you may see corrosion.

[Petermcmxii]

I haven't seen any but I'll double check. I tried to start the car but I got a cranking noise then nothing. I think the battery's dead because I took a voltmeter to measure the DC volts and it said 10.2 and I only tried to turn the car on 3 times...idk this is getting fustrating

[Mechanical Mike]

Since your problems started with the ICM replacement you should double check that the spark plug wires are going to the correct cylinders.

[Petermcmxii]

I checked and double checked. Also the car ran fine for 3 days or so until it messed up again.