/// Mister-Auto’s DIY Guides

www.mister-auto.co.uk - 0844 338 00 21*Please note: free and informative document for which Mister-Auto does not accept any responsibility or liability.

REPLACING A STARTER MOTOR

The starter motor is an electric engine which i s n e e d e d t o s t a r t a combustion engine.

STARTER MOTOR

Your car wi l l have di ff icul ty starting. In fact, the engine won’t start at all. If you have starting problems, it can mean two things: the battery has died or needs charging or the starter motor has broken down.

To be certain, always start by testing your battery. If its tension is lower than 12.5V, it’ll need replacing. Generally you’ll notice this on the dashboard as well. If the warning lights no longer glow as brightly as before, it is likely your battery needs to be changed.

If however, in spite of all the electr ic equipment (such as

lights, ventilation, heating, radio etc.) working, the vehicle does not start, there is probably an issue with the starter motor.

Now, if you absolutely need to get your car started because you cannot fix it on the spot, it is often still possible to start it one last time by tapping against the starter motor with a hammer to loosen the carbon brushes.

Another option is pushing the vehicle down a slope, pressing the clutch pedal down and putting the car in second gear. The engine will start turning and end up starting.

HOW DO I KNOW MY STARTER HAS BROKEN DOWN?

TIPS FROM MISTER-AUTO

• W h e n y o u a r e dismounting your

s ta r te r mo to r, you w i l l have access to

the f lywheel. Take the opportunity to check the

latter’s ring gear. The starter ring gear is attached to the flywheel’s. Over time both will wear, resulting in you having to replace your flywheel as well as your starter.

• A badly functioning starter causes premature wear of the battery and the flywheel.

- 1 set of spanners- 1 set screwdrivers- 1 set of spline bit sockets- 1 multimeter

45 mins

EQUIPMENT

DIFFICULTYTIME

/// Mister-Auto’s DIY Guides

www.mister-auto.co.uk - 0844 338 00 21*Please note: free and informative document for which Mister-Auto does not accept any responsibility or liability.

CHANGING YOUR STARTER MOTOR IN 9 EASY STEPS

Disconnect the negative pole of your car battery and keep it at a safe distance to avoid an accidental connection.

Step

Step

Step

Step

Study the location of the starter on your car. It might be difficult to reach in which case you will need to jack up the vehicle. Take a good look at the connections onto the starter as well.

Disconnect the wires on the starter whilst memorising the different colours and their place on the part.

Unscrew the two screws of the starter. The one that is most difficult to reach, needs to be freed first.

Disconnect the battery

Locate the starter

Disconnect the wires

Unscrew the bolts

Remove the starter

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2

3

4

STARTER MOTOR

/// Mister-Auto’s DIY Guides

www.mister-auto.co.uk - 0844 338 00 21*Please note: free and informative document for which Mister-Auto does not accept any responsibility or liability.

Install the new starter with the spline bit sockets. Make sure you select the right socket shape and size.

Connect the wires.

Connect the battery.

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9

Compare the broken starter with the one you’ve just bought.

6

Install the new starter

Remove the starter motor if you have enough space. On some vehicles, space is so limited that you will need to create it by dismounting a driveshaft or part of the exhaust system for example.5

Compare the two starters

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Step

Step

Step

Step

STARTER MOTOR