This article should be very interesting for all you. Recently I got a new alternator and new battery, but I was having trouble turning and starting my car. After 14 years of running, its time to retired the starter. The starter still good, but its drawing a lot of cranking amps. Since I was changing my injectors, I might as well do the starter too.
Before you start thinking about this, it will take about 6 hours for an average person. However, is a great weekend project. Before you start, you will need special tools in order to complete this job. Since the starter is located in the valley of the two heads. You will need to remove the upper and lower intake along with the rear radiator fluid bridge.
Special Tools
1. Snap On Ratcheting Crowfoot wrench Part number BFCRM14. Its only $16
2. Ratcheting with Flex head
Here are the procedures of removing the parts:
1. Remove the intakes pipes – Pretty self explanatory
2. Remove the Throttle Body as unit.
3. Remove the EGR and EGR inlet
4. Remove the upper intake – You don’t have to remove the injectors.
5. Remove the Rear radiator fluid bridge. 4 12 mm, two in the front and two in the rear.
6. Loose the wire harness. Two rear and two front
7. Remove the starter.
Here is the instruction of removing the parts.
Removing the starter is the hardest part and I will explain in details. The starter is located between the two heads. In order to get to it, everything over it must be removed. The hard part is yet to come. The starter is mounted in such a way that two 14 mm bolts are screw from rear to front. In another word, its very hard to get to. From my personal experience, its best to attach these two screws with a 14 mm hex wrench and use a long pipe for leverage and just to loosen the bolts. Once again, its very tight and you only have few degrees to rotate. Once the bolts are loosen, you can use the Snap On ratcheting crowfoot wrench to complete taken those bolts out. As for me, I didn’t have the Snap On tool I had to use my fingers and slowly loosen those bolts. Took me almost 45 minutes just for two bolts.
Later on I got smart and cut out about 2″ off my ratcheting wrench so I have room to rotate the wrench. Once the starter is tighten, plug back the two wires into the starter. Make sure you test this out before installing. For some reasons, my after market starter had a different plug. Test it out first before you install the new one in.
Once again, the hardest part was the two bolts. If you get it out, then your job is 75% finished.
The whole project will take a good 6 hours so prepare yourself to do this task. If you have any questions, please post it in ourforum. Good luck
David
Question regarding the fuel injectors you said you don’t have to remove them do you mean from the intake manifold? Or do you mean you don’t have to disconnect them at all?
Donation sent!! excellent write up on how to change out the starter on our SC300’s-400’s…. Well done and look forward to finally getting around on replacing my starter around my 65-70 hour per week work schedule 🙁
Thanks very, very much for your kind contribution, Ruben! It is appreciated and will go directly toward the cost of the site.
Hi, I have replaced many starters on the 1uz engines, I have found the easiest way to get to the starter bolts is from under the car about midway with a few feet of extensions, no need to remove rear water bridge and buy gaskets, that’s how I’ve always done it, just seems easier to me.