Starter replacement difficult?
#1
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Anyone replace starter? How difficult for novice? Any advice?
Last edited by RA40; 11-24-18 at 11:19 AM. Reason: title adjustment
#4
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It is the most challenging repair I have done, I would give it a 9/10 as I reserve a complete engine replacement as a 10/10
the rear coolant bridge y pipe bolts are the biggest pita
followed closely by the actual starter bolts themselves.
the rear coolant bridge y pipe bolts are the biggest pita
followed closely by the actual starter bolts themselves.
#5
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What year is your LS? There are differences throughout the years.
Some forum members have had good results just replacing the solenoid / plunger and contacts which eliminates the need to remove the entire starter housing.
IIRC the coolant bypass and EGR pipe (depending on the year) are not removed when you leave the starter in place and just replace theplunger and contacts.
Some forum members have had good results just replacing the solenoid / plunger and contacts which eliminates the need to remove the entire starter housing.
IIRC the coolant bypass and EGR pipe (depending on the year) are not removed when you leave the starter in place and just replace theplunger and contacts.
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Mine took a couple of days but honestly, if you go into a job with all the tools and parts and you know the severity it's just a time sync.
Just take your time and read everything 5 times It's not that hard. Keep labels and containers for all bolts etc. Take photos or even better video telling yourself any think you might not remember about disassembley
Just take your time and read everything 5 times It's not that hard. Keep labels and containers for all bolts etc. Take photos or even better video telling yourself any think you might not remember about disassembley
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#11
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This job is difficult but if your comfortable working on cars it's not that bad. The most time consuming part of the job is getting the 2 starter bolts out IMO since the room is so limited. The 1 must have tool is a crows foot socket just for that part of the job. If you have a helper it's easier just to remove the intake manifold in one piece. The job is more intimidating than anything else. There are minor differences in the removal depending on the year of your LS.
http://www.lextreme.com/starter.html
http://www.lextreme.com/starter.html
#12
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Our 96 is showing starter failure signs. A mechanic, who has been good so far, is concerned that getting to the starter could result in other parts failing/breaking (age of the car, etc.) and that some of these parts will be difficult to find (already having that problem with my 02 maxima). This is probably not a fair question to ask, but how about his concern over failing parts when you remove parts? I did just find the same car, a mechanic special that doesn't run, and I will call my mechanic and see if he's willing to take the other car for parts. But I would like to hear the general consensus on his concerns. Thanks in advance.
#13
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I mean ****** happens when you do car repairs. This is one reason I always advise people not to buy rusty cars or cars that come from areas that pour salt on the roads in the winter. Stuff breaks, it's frustrating, you have to back up and punt. Oftentimes shops don't want to fool with this type of repair and/or older cars for this very reason (10 things break just to get one part out or off). If it is a really nice car, it has to be repaired. Do you know this shop/mechanic well? You could let them know that you realize the difficulty and that stuff may happen, and that you are willing to compensate them for their effort (within reason).
#14
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I've replaced 2 starters on my 97 & 00 LS400 myself. The later is much easier as Lexus had made some design changes to the plenum/upper intake manifold & emission control (no flex EGR pipe from upper intake to exhaust manifold) so you can remove the plenum & upper intake manifold in 1 piece. This is not a job for a novice or someone w/ just generic tools. You also got to have lots of patient & be able to to work around & fix things i.e. plastic fuel injector's connectors (qty 8) as they will break during the removal process. If you still want to do it yourself then make sure to bag & tag everything during the removal & replace the front & rear water bypass bridge's gaskets w/ new ones or it'll leak on you. Best of luck.
#15
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Our 96 is showing starter failure signs. A mechanic, who has been good so far, is concerned that getting to the starter could result in other parts failing/breaking (age of the car, etc.) and that some of these parts will be difficult to find (already having that problem with my 02 maxima). This is probably not a fair question to ask, but how about his concern over failing parts when you remove parts? I did just find the same car, a mechanic special that doesn't run, and I will call my mechanic and see if he's willing to take the other car for parts. But I would like to hear the general consensus on his concerns. Thanks in advance.
See post #5 above /\/\/\
Replacing just the plunger and contacts eliminates the need to remove the entire starter assembly which is where the surrounding parts become compromised...