Hey Everyone,


My starter is acting up....spinning but not engaging about 10% of the time, especially after sitting for a while.


My hunch is it's bad, or perhaps it is "gummed up".


Is there a good DIY anywhere on how to remove/replace this? Is it possible I can "clean" it without removal?


I haven't been able to find photos elsewhere...

 

One thing to check first, before doing any removal. Look at the power cable lead to the starter, particularly at the starter. Sometimes the bare wire can corrode and cannot carry sufficient amps to turn the motor. If removing starter, I think there is a couple of recessed allen head or torx bolt heads, if I remember correctly. I don't recall which or what size.

 

Two 8mm hex head bolts hold the starter in place.

 

This sounds unbelievably easy.

 

Well if you can get the 10mm bolt securing the heatshield to the motor mount bracket off, and if you make absolutely sure the 8mm allen 3/8 tip is fully inserted into the starter bolts before stripping the heads out, it can be just that simple.

 

A guy had a thread on here a week ago about replacing the starter on his truck. He said it was easy, and it should be unless the bolts holding it in place get stubborn.


You said the problem is that the starter spins but doesn't engage. Forty years ago on the farm that problem often got fixed instead of replacing the starter. You might Google or search YouTube for "starter bendix" and see what you find. On the other hand starters aren't expensive so you may not consider it worth your time to try to fix the one you have.

 

Well, my '03 is back at the mechanic today because it is still leaking from the intake manifold gasket that was just replaced. Maybe I'll just have him do the damn thing and save my knuckles