subject: Replacing Starters On Your Vehicle [print this page] Starters are necessary in order for vehicles to start. When the key is turned to the start position an electrical signal is sent to the body ride control module (or computer, depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle). The starter is composed of the starter itself and the starter solenoid.
Occasionally starters fail and need to be replaced. When you are purchasing a replacement starter for your heavy-duty equipment you should consider:
A quality brand
The types of jobs you will need to perform
The parts that are best suited to your heavy-duty equipment
Once you have purchased a new starter you will need to have in installed by a qualified mechanic. Depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle replacing a starter can be a fairly simple procedure or be quite involved and take several hours.
Here is an example of some of the steps your mechanic will take to replace your starter:
Removing the Starter
Allow the engine to cool completely
Depending on where in your vehicle the starter is located may need to remove other vehicle parts to gain access to the starter
Disconnect the battery cables
Disconnect wires from the starter and the starter solenoid
Remove the mounting bolts
Remove the starter from the engine
If the vehicle has shims (not all do) they will need to be saved for installation of the new starter
Installing the Starter
Put the new starter in the engine compartment
Reinstall shims in their original position
Install the mounting bolts. The torque must be placed according to vehicle specifications
Connect the wires to the starter and starter solenoid (follow your notes from when you disconnected these wires)
Reinstall any components that may have been removed to gain access to the starter
Reconnect the battery cables
Starters are an important vehicle part that will occasionally fail. To ensure that your starter is reliable consider purchasing from a reliable brand that manufactures starters especially for heavy-duty industrial equipment.
