Starter relay and wiring?

Tiny
LESAB98
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 BUICK LESABRE
Car failed to start, found starter had an open on the field windings. Replaced starter, no improvement. Haynes manual schematic shows a starter enable relay in the circuit. I cannot locate this relay to check it. It provides the 12 volts to initiate the holding circuit to allow the starter motor to turn the engine. I need a location for this relay and any other suggestions about this problem.
Friday, July 21st, 2006 AT 8:18 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
MIKEYBDMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 623 POSTS
Under the left hand of the instrument panel, above the instrument panel fuse block. Look just left of the steering column support and on a bracket beside the main wiring conduit. You will have to remove the fuse block cover and panel.

Starter Enable Relay Behind left side of dash, left of steering column.

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Here is the starter wiring diagrams as well. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:09 AM
Tiny
DARK-SHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 BUICK LESABRE
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

where are the location of all the starter boltes in a 3.8 eng.
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TOOOMANYTOYS
  • MECHANIC
  • 513 POSTS
Start by removing ground on battery. There are two 10mm screws that hold a plastic cover around starter and flywheel area. Remove that cover. Then there are two 15mm bolts that hold starter to engine block. remove those bolts. Rest starter on engine cradle carefully and remove 12volt battery cable and starter input wire. This guide will help walk you through the job

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RODFUDGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 BUICK LESABRE
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic Many miles

OK -- I need to replace the starter. I've got the front end of the car up on blocks. I can see the starter, but there's a cross panel that's in the way.

I haven't disconnected the cables yet. II wanted to get some feedback before I starter doing anything.

I wonder if the two bolts that hold it in are on the other side of the starter. If that’s the case, things may have just gotten a harder.

Many thanks

Rod --
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
There should be two black plastic covers at the front of the starter. Remove them. They are held on with 3 bolts. Remove the starter wires. Remove the two starter bolts.
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VJERROD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Where is the solenoid switch located
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,824 POSTS
The solenoid is mounted on top of the starter. That's where the battery cable and the control wire connect to the starter.
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DANTE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
Where is the starter on a 97 buick lesabre?
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The starter is on the left side of the engine block down low here is a guide and a diagrams below to help you change the starter motor out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

if the start is not working this guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:12 AM (Merged)
Tiny
XXXX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
How do I change starter
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,787 POSTS
Hi:
First, disconnect the battery. Next, remove the wiring to the starter. Finally, unbolt the two wires to the starter (Holding starter to the bell housing). The starter will now come out. Replace the new one in the reverse order.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
NYHUNTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
I replaced the starter with attached solenoid. Unfortunately I broke the connector on the small wire, not the battery one.

Can I just get a copper crimp on ring terminal and crimp it on the end of the cable? Concerned that the piece shown has something important in it?
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,787 POSTS
Yes, you can do what you suggested. However, make sure you get a quality part and replace any covering the original wire may have to eliminate the possibility of a short.
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RETIRE1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 BUICK LESABRE
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Buick Lesabre 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

process to r&r starter
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
1997 Buick LeSabre V6-3.8L VIN K

Starter Replacement:
Starter Motor Mounting


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/12900_sm_1.gif



REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1.Negative battery cable.
2.Raise vehicle.
3.Splash shield.
4.Bolts to flywheel inspection cover.
5.Flywheel inspection cover.
6.Starter wiring.
7.Starter mounting bolts.
8.Starter.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
NOTICE: Before installing starter motor to engine, he sure electrical terminals are secure by tightening nuts next to cap on solenoid battery terminal and on the SD-255 "S" terminal. If these terminals are not tight in solenoid cap, the cap may be damaged during installation of electrical connections and cause starter to fall later.

1.Starter.
2.Starter mounting bolts. Tighten
*Bolts to 43 N.m (32 lb. ft.) .
3.Starter wiring. Tighten
*Nut on solenoid battery terminal to 16 N.m (12 lb. ft.) .
*Nut on "S" terminal to 2.5 N.m (22 lb. in.) .
4.Flywheel inspection cover. Tighten
*Bolts to 7 N.m (62 lb. in.) .
5.Splash shield.
6.Lower vehicle.
7.Negative battery cable. Tighten
*Cable bolt to 15 N.m (11 lb. ft.) .
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CFOSSE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 BUICK LESABRE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 15,300 MILES
I cannot locate the starter on this car, can you tell me where it is?
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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Raise the vehicle. If you lie on your back, it will be in the very front of the motor, on the driver side.
This is not your motor, but the starter location is similar.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/55316_gm3800_1.jpg

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Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 AT 8:13 AM (Merged)

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