Just curious if anyone is still following this thread. Are you approaching the the starter from under the car or above? I'm trying above and I am having a heck of a time trying to get to the mounting bolts. I have an automatic transmission and it just looks like there is more stuff in the way if I came up from under. Which way is best? Any tips on how to get the wrench in there? What size socket for the mounting bolts?

Thanks!

 

You need to attack the starter bolts from the transmission side with an extension / socket and from under the vehicle.

The wiring connections from above.

I got my starter out via the top, but with clearance difficulty.

 

My GF has a 2003 XL7 Automatic and it would not start the other day, had it towed to my house and it started a couple times before it would not turn the Starter again. Had the Battery tested and its fine, checked all the Cables and everything is clean and tight so it looks like I will be attempting to change the Starter which does not look like a fun job.

 

Pull the engine mount, then it's soooo easy.
It is not as scary as it sounds.
That is what I did while refreshing my 2002 GV auto trans.

It will take 10 minutes and save you hours of frustration.
I looked at the stuff I would have had to fight with and didn't give it another thought.
Roll a jack under the pan - with the piece of wood Max suggested & you'll be good to go.

Don

.

 

Thanks so much, I was looking at it today and it does appear that removing that Mount will make the Starter change easier.

 

Replace Starter 04 Grand Vitara 2.5V6 Manual Trans

Replace Starter 04 Grand Vitara 2.5V6 Manual Trans.
Starter spins but does not engage. Whacked Solenoid and Starter with hammer. Had to bump start to get it in the driveway.
I am not comfortable putting a piece of wood on oil pan then jacking up
engine to pull starter out. I don't want to dent it.
Is there any other way short of an engine hoist?
What length 1/2 drive extension is needed to reach starter bolts from
transmission side underneath car?

Thank you for any replies

 

I am not comfortable putting a piece of wood on oil pan then jacking up

If you are going the mount removal method, then jacking / supporting it there won't hurt a thing.

Foot long extension I think I used on the fasteners.

 

Starter Replace 04 Grand Vitara

Starter Replace 04 Grand Vitara
Thanks. the 1 foot 1/2 Drive extension worked perfect on the bottom.
For the Top I used a 2 foot 3/8 Drive with a 14mm u joint socket (handy)
with pipe on end of ratchet, came out with a snap sound.
I was unable to get the 13mm nut of from the front beside the ground clip.
I think I may have to lift the engine!
does the mount have to come off the engine side?
or is it just the nut that points straight up that has to come off
to lift with jack on oil pan.
Thank you for any replies.

 

I've had starter retrieval without moving or jacking anything, as you may have read.

Jacking the engine up slightly only enables entire removal of the interfering motor mount bracket, the other option discussed as well.

I presume the latter is your goal. So in other words, JUST lifting the engine doesn't give you what you need. Joint bracket removal was their key to success.

 

Removed Starter

Max is right! (04 Grand Vitara 2.5V6 Manual Transmission)
I pulled the starter. Pulled the 2 bolts from the bottom with extensions.
Completely removed air cleaner.
I had to start removing the alternator cables,
completely removed the block heater cable.
Pulled all tyraps on that big cable that goes over alternator had enough slack to push the starter forward to get it out of the housing. Then with gear end pointing towards fender, I was able to remove the ground clip with flat screwdriver and then the 12mm nut with open end wrench. Patience here for sure.
Then shimmy toward front of car then it comes out beside the alternator.

Patience payed off.
I noticed that my flywheel cover is gone when putting my jack and wood block on drain plug part of oil pan, to see if engine would move up. It did not. Car started to go up so I gave up on the engine mount removal method. It would make the job so much harder.
I don't know how long that flywheel cover has been gone but I think that is why my starter is gone. I have tested other starters by putting a cable on the nut and another to the body of the starter. What is the ground clip on solenoid for?
Thank you for any replies

 

What is the ground clip on solenoid for?

IF you are referring to the 1/4" spade, white plastic covered connector pulled off and shown here...that is the 12V+ start source from the ignition switch that energizes the solenoid.

 

Starter done

Thanks
Starter went in better than old one came out.
Pushed in same way it came out nose first.
got the bottom bolt in from underneath with helper holding starter in place from top. Then top bolt went in easy. Grease on 1/4" spade then pushed clip on.
Then cable on with nut some patience here. Tempting to cut the rubber cover
in below freezing temperature, but I had helper push the rubber out of the way
from bottom with pry bar. Got rubber in place back where it belongs.
Put Alternator cables back in. Ty rap on thick cable. Air cleaner back in.
Reconnect battery and she started up like new.
Thanks

 

I have a zr2 2003 automatic 4by4 with ac. I took the starter out the top without removing any other parts.

1. Removal: Pull the starter back towards alternator. Twist starter up so solenoid does not hang up on engine mount so much. Next, Push the gear end down to get out of its hole and then bring starter out gear end first. I got hung up on my ac lines so pulled starter out at firewall.

2. Install: reverse steps to remove. Attach the small wire to tab as early as possible. Important to have gear end pointing down to get it back in its hole. Non gear end may have to be coaxed a bit towards front of car if big wire pushes it to far towards rear of car. Remember solenoid faces front and may intitially have to be twisted up a bit to get through engine mount more. Starter sits inside engine mount .
3. I removed two 14 mm bolts from below with small ratchet wrench. I guess my bolts were not rusted at all. A cheat bar prolly would not fit. A wrench with long handle might work.
4. Heat shield must be reused. You need the tool that you hammer to get philips screws out.