Starter motor replacement Haynes Shows You How

How much could I save by replacing my own starter motor?

Starter motor replacement is a reasonably straightforward job, although it usually requires the removal of other ancillaries to be able to gain access to the motor and could take a home mechanic up to around three hours. Consider that a main dealer can charge you up to around £150 per hour for labour and you can see why this is a job well worth doing yourself, with a Haynes Manual by your side.

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“First you need to eliminate the battery as a potential troublemaker”

If the starter motor seems to be dead you first need to eliminate the battery as a potential troublemaker. Are other electrical components (headlights, interior lights, electric windows) working okay or is the battery flat? Are the battery terminals in good condition or are they corroded? Also look at the starter motor solenoid terminal. Clean them if necessary. Also check the fuse(s) and measure the voltage at the starter solenoid control terminal with the ignition key turned to ‘start’. If battery voltage is showing, there’s likely to be an issue with the starter motor.

Starter motor problems can concern the starter gear not engaging with the flywheel (you’ll hear the motor turning at high speed) or the motor’s brushes wearing out.

All cars are slightly different, so if it is time to change your starter motor, use our before you begin checklist, and find your car for specific instructions.

You can get a car with a manual gearbox going with a bump start, but the novelty will quickly wear off for those pushing, so a starter motor should be replaced as soon as possible.

An automatic car cannot be started without a starter motor, so you’re stranded if it’s faulty. You’ll have to change the motor straight away.