Where Is The Starter Located In Your Car?

Trying to fix your car, but at the time of parts replacement, you don’t know what is a starter and how to locate it? In this post we will learn where is the starter located.

Your vehicle’s starter motor is typically a part that only needs to be replaced once in the vehicle’s lifetime.  As a result, most car owners do not know the location of the starter and it may take some searching to find.

Where Is The Starter Located?

Where Is The Starter Located?

The starter allows your car engine to start and run properly. It is a small device that runs on the vehicle’s battery. The car will not start if the starter fails.

1. Location Of Starter Motor

The location of the starter is not something that most car owners know off the top of their heads, and it may take some searching to find. Some owner’s manuals include an engine diagram, but it is not guaranteed that the starter will be labeled which helps to know where is the starter located.

Step 1: Opening The Hood

 Lift the hood of your vehicle and have friend turn the ignition key. Look for cylindrical part bolted near the engine and listen for clicking sound coming from under the hood. The starter is usually secured with two hex bolts, but there may be more. This is the starter if you can find it without too much searching.

Step 2: Removing Connections

Find the positive terminal on your car battery. This is the terminal with the heavy red cable connected to it.  It may be hidden by plastic cover, particularly on newer models.

Step 3: Finding The Motor

Continue following the cable until it reaches a connecting post. The post is a component of the starter, which also contains wires to other electrical systems and is located at the end of the large cylinder. The cable may run beneath other components, such as the air intake manifold, making it difficult to track.

The starter is made up of two cylindrical shapes, one larger than the other. The solenoid is in one cylinder, and the starter motor is in the other.

2. Location Of Starter Solenoid

Engine

A starter solenoid is in charge of delivering electrical power to the starter. The Starter cranks the vehicle whenever the ignition is turned on. To find the solenoid, you must know where is the starter located.

Step 1

Ensure that your vehicle is leveled and that the brakes are properly set. A wedging chock is used to keep the wheels from rolling.

Step 2

Pop the hood open and inspect the engine system. Disconnect the positive signal from the battery before releasing the cable from the terminal with a socket wrench.

Step 3

Position a jack beneath the front cross member and lift the vehicle from the front. The vehicle should be lifted high enough so that two jack stands can be slid under the frame rails. Now lower the vehicle so that it rests on the stand.

Step 4

Continue to follow the positive cable until it reaches a connecting post. Typically, the cable at the positive terminal is connected to the starter solenoid, which is located on the Starter.

The vehicle model and starter type determine whether the solenoid remains at the top of the Starter or moves to the bottom. The cable at the positive terminal is frequently left connected to the Starter.

3. How To Replace Starter?

Before we get started on how to replace a starter, let’s first identify the tools and preparations needed. Furthermore, if you are unfamiliar with the insides of a car, it is best to delegate this task to a mechanic.

Tools Required to Replace a Starter Motor
Here are some items to keep on hand:

Sockets and a torque wrench or socket wrench
1. Phillips screwdriver
2. Pliers
3. Additional mounting bolts or starter bolts

4. Replacing Starter

A starter is a small device that runs on the vehicle’s battery. It allows your car engine to run and is easy to use. The starter relay sends power between the starter motor and the battery. We’ve added a tutorial video to replace the starter motor and to know where is the starter located.

 

1. Disconnecting The Starter

Disconnect the electrical system, the battery, or the mass switch, and ensure that the cables are not live. One thick cable runs directly from the positive battery terminal to the incoming copper bolt on the starter relay in conventional starter motors (Terminal B or 30). This is frequently also the electrical system’s distribution point. To put it another way, there may be more than one cable, so label them clearly.

A smaller cable controls the starter relay. Disconnect this cable as well.

2. Take Apart The Starter Motor

Because the starter motor is no longer connected to the electrical system, it can be removed from the engine. 
In general, it is bolted to the flywheel housing with two or three bolts. 
Accessibility isn’t always ideal, especially in cramped engine compartment, so some inventive socket wrench and extension work may be required.

3. Contrast The New Starter With The Old One

With the starter removed from the vehicle, compare the old (original starter) and new replacement starter on a table. Both starters should have nearly identical appearances. The mounting bolt holes for the replacement starter should be in the same location.

4. Insert The New Starter

Check the flywheel for damaged teeth before reinstalling the new starter in the bell housing. If everything looks good, keep the starter mounting bolts handy and install the new starter exactly where the old one was (bell housing).

5. Put The Starter Mounting Bolts In Place

Tighten each starter bolt after inserting it to secure the starter. Insert the two starter mounting bolts through the engine bracket and the starter. Then, by hand, turn each mounting bolt clockwise until you’re certain they’re securely fastened.

6. Connect The Wiring

Connect the wiring from the old starter to the terminals of the new starter while the car starter motor is in place.
Do the same with the new starter solenoid.

7. Start The Vehicle

It’s now time to connect the battery.
Then, insert the key into the ignition and attempt to start your vehicle. If so, your starter replacement was a success.

5. What Is The Cost Of Replacing The Starter?

where is the starter located

The rebuild parts for a starter range between $50 and $350. The cost of a completely new starter ranges from $80 to $350. You’ll have to pay between $150 and $1,100 if you need your mechanic to replace your starter.

Conclusion

To Visually know where is the starter located, the starter motor is a hard cylinder that measures about 5-7 inches in length and 3 inches in diameter. It has a small wiring harness and three bolts that secure the engine from the back. You could do it yourself if you followed our guide, but it is not highly recommended.

To replace the starter motor, keep in mind that it could be a damaged pinion or flywheel, a faulty electrical connection, a damaged commutator, a faulty solenoid switch, or something else.

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