Any DIY starter replacements?

E

Enygma3000

Member
Location
G.T, CA
Car
2004 FX35
Hey everyone. Looked through the DIY threads and didn't see a starter replacement thread. Anyone have any experience on how easy/hard this is on an 2004? The dealer wants to charge me $818. Yeah right! The parts like $120 plus I need to replace the AC amplifier which can all be covered if I can do-it-myself. I seen the AC amplifier DIY thread. Any help is appreciated.
 
I don't remember seeing any on here.

Should not be any more then:
1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2) Remove the front and middle belly pans.
3) Remove a couple connectors and cables.
4) Remove the two mounting bolts
5) Remove the starter from under side.

I won't pay more than $200 if I have to get it done from a shop :wink:
 
Not hard, 3-4 bolts but take some time because it is very tight space, it sit below steering shaft . 2 hrs at most

Sent from my SGH-T999 2
 
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la_fx35 said:
I don't remember seeing any on here.

Should not be any more then:
1) Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2) Remove the front and middle belly pans.
3) Remove a couple connectors and cables.
4) Remove the two mounting bolts
5) Remove the starter from under side.

I won't pay more than $200 if I have to get it done from a shop :wink:
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, and I did get a quote from a local shop. He did quote me just over $200. $218 I believe. Now it's just quick convenience or do it myself and get a new floor jack out of the deal.
 
Just got it done. Wasn't hard at all. Connector, two bolts, and a nut. The splash guard was probably the most timely thing. I don't have any power tools. Could have shaved off an hour not hand tooling and using a breaking bar. Thanks Everybody. And thanks la_fx35.
 
Enygma3000 said:
Just got it done. Wasn't hard at all. Connector, two bolts, and a nut. The splash guard was probably the most timely thing. I don't have any power tools. Could have shaved off an hour not hand tooling and using a breaking bar. Thanks Everybody. And thanks la_fx35.
Click to expand...
You should have taken pics and created a DIY
 
Howdy. Think I'm having starter problems in my '03. What were your symptoms? I've had a no crank symptom twice. No noise, clicks, nothing. Lights/gauges/etc. all came up but that's all. First time it recovered after a few tries, second time not. Had to be towed, then it started right up at the shop when the driver turned the key to put it in neutral so he could roll it off. Been at the shop (independent) for a week and hasn't failed for them. Same as you? Thanks for any assist.

Peder



---------- Post added at 11:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 AM ----------

What the frack. I pasted text and got a black font.
 
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---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:33 PM ----------
Enygma3000 said:
Just got it done. Wasn't hard at all. Connector, two bolts, and a nut. The splash guard was probably the most timely thing. I don't have any power tools. Could have shaved off an hour not hand tooling and using a breaking bar. Thanks Everybody. And thanks la_fx35.
Click to expand...


I tried getting the starter bolts off but I can't get one of them loosen and ended up rounding the bolt. How did you get them off? I didn't see the bolt on starter, what is the bolt you are talking about? Also, were those two bolts the same? I probably have to order them and replace them with the new one once I can get them out.

thanks in advance!
 
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fx1004 said:
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---------- Post added at 05:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:33 PM ----------




I tried getting the starter bolts off but I can't get one of them loosen and ended up rounding the bolt. How did you get them off? I didn't see the bolt on starter, what is the bolt you are talking about? Also, were those two bolts the same? I probably have to order them and replace them with the new one once I can get them out.

thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Yeah, both bolts were the same I'm sure. I just used a socket wrench. And a make shift breaking bar. I used a crescent wrench (adjustable wrench) as the breaking bar by putting the end of the socket wrench in the hole of the crescent wrench. It'll create an 'L' shape. Which way the crescent wrench faces depends on which way gives you the best leverage to turn (break) the bolt.

---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------

I think I will create a DIY to give back to the community. I got my starter from NAPA and occasionally it gives me no turn over starts. I mean this by the starter will crank without cranking over the engine. It's like the teeth won't catch. I just let go the ignition wait a sec then try again. It fires right up. But I don't like that. My wife freaks out when it does it and it's slight embarrassing. I did get the lifetime warranty from NAPA so I guess that's cool. But I guess that's why there are some things that you need OEM parts. Like brakes, I'll always get them from the dealer. Better safer than sorry.
 
Enygma3000 said:
Yeah, both bolts were the same I'm sure. I just used a socket wrench. And a make shift breaking bar. I used a crescent wrench (adjustable wrench) as the breaking bar by putting the end of the socket wrench in the hole of the crescent wrench. It'll create an 'L' shape. Which way the crescent wrench faces depends on which way gives you the best leverage to turn (break) the bolt.

---------- P

Thanks! I found the bolt and removed the bolts using the bolt extractor and long wrench. However, the starter I got from Autozone wasn't working. it was free spinning and not engaging. Do you remember where you bought your starter?ost added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:07 PM ----------

I think I will create a DIY to give back to the community. I got my starter from NAPA and occasionally it gives me no turn over starts. I mean this by the starter will crank without cranking over the engine. It's like the teeth won't catch. I just let go the ignition wait a sec then try again. It fires right up. But I don't like that. My wife freaks out when it does it and it's slight embarrassing. I did get the lifetime warranty from NAPA so I guess that's cool. But I guess that's why there are some things that you need OEM parts. Like brakes, I'll always get them from the dealer. Better safer than sorry.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I found the bolt on top of the starter and ended up using the bolt extractor and long wrench to remove the bolts. However, the starter I got from Autozone wasn't engaging and was free spinning. I had to return it. I'm looking for different starter now. I'm afraid to get it online since I may have the same problem.
 
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fx1004 said:
Thanks! I found the bolt on top of the starter and ended up using the bolt extractor and long wrench to remove the bolts. However, the starter I got from Autozone wasn't engaging and was free spinning. I had to return it. I'm looking for different starter now. I'm afraid to get it online since I may have the same problem.
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NAPA auto parts but theirs may have the same problem. Intermittent.
 
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My starter on my 2004 FX35 went bad and I had Pep Boy do the repair. It cost $289.00 with a 10% off maintenance repair deal on their website. I have the same problem stated above, it will start but dies if you don't gas it right after
starting. I had an auto starter/alarm installed which contributed to wearing out the starter and I do have an Invidia exhaust system which could have less back pressure than the factory causing it to burn rich. The FX is still running
strong so no real complaints just maintenance grips.
 
$289 installed & parts is a very good price.

I can't imagine how an auto starter (remote starter) would contribute to wear out the starter quicker than normal regular starting, unless your remote starter unit engage the starter onto the flywheel longer than what it is needed to start the car, you need to have your remote starter look at. If that's the case and you let it go this long to wear out your starter, you may need to take a look at your flywheel too.


 
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