How to Replace a Lexus Starter Like a Pro
It doesn’t happen often, but when the starter in your Lexus goes out, replacing it is something that most people can do themselves.
Generally, there are parts on vehicles that require frequent replacement, while others don’t necessarily need to be tinkered with that often. Starters lie in the latter realm, and for the most part, aren’t something that we have to worry about replacing very often – if ever, depending on how long we own a vehicle or how many miles it has on the clock. However, for those that have an older Lexus model or one that’s driven quite a bit, the time to replace the starter will inevitably arrive – and this recent video from The Car Care Nut gives us a great demonstration on how to replace it like a professional.
Once you’ve determined that the starter in your Lexus has kicked the proverbial bucket – or is on its way to the grave – the first step is to disconnect the battery to ensure that you don’t have any unexpected fireworks. Once that’s done, removing the power wire to the starter typically involves a 12mm bolt that needs to be removed, as well as a pair of 14mm bolts holding the starter itself in place.
At this point, one can remove the starter, but it’s pretty common for that part to be stuck in place after sitting there for so many years and miles. Sometimes, moving it back and forth with one’s hands can free it, or for those that may reside in the rust belt, it could require a little more “persuasion.”
Now that it’s time to install the new starter, our host points out that it’s best to go with an OEM replacement – as aftermarket units or remanufactured parts can be cheaply made and may not last long – requiring one to do this job all over again and essentially spend more money in the long run. Before installing the new starter, our host notes that it’s best to clean the installation area as good as one possibly can as well, which will ensure a good connection exists.
Once the starter is bolted down and the power wire is installed, the battery can be reconnected, and the car can be started to ensure that the new starter is working properly. Overall, this is a pretty simple job that anyone with basic tools can perform, which is nice to know given the fact that doing precisely that can save you some money versus letting a shop handle it for you.
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