Starter replacement

Tiny
NCDOUBLED
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,456 MILES
Easy way to remove starter?
Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 12:15 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Here is a guide to help walk you through the steps with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car.

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

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

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Saturday, June 1st, 2019 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
JLOWDER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 DODGE DAKOTA
Where is the starter located and how do I get it out to put on a new one?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Starter is located on the side of the engine right before the trans on the flywheel. disconnect battery first then remove the cables off of it and take off the bolts. Here is a guide that will show you what you are in for when doing 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.

Cheers
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GARY5740
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
Have new starter installed because of a no start, 5 days later same problem, car towed and 8 or so hours later it started fine tried at least 20 more time and started OK. Repair shop said could be battery, or a ground problem any suggestions of what this could be.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
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Intermittent electrical problems are the worse thing you could ever want to diagnose.

There’s no way of being sure what the problem is unless it is happening, at the moment you are testing things.

We’ll get going on testing in a second, but I need to have you clarify something.

The starter would not crank the engine over when you turned the key.
Or
The engine would turn over fine, but would not run?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GARY5740
  • MEMBER
  • 14 POSTS
Starter just does a small whine noise will not engage to turn over engine as mentioned earlier it has been replaced and this problem took 5 days to re-appear It now is workiing fine?
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
I think I know that tortured high pitch whine you're talking about.

Things that could do that are...

Low amps getting to starter motor because of.
Weak battery.
Bad connections on cables.
Bad starter solenoid.

The start motor is bad.

The starter is not perfectly aligned with the engine and the starter drive just happened to bind against the teeth of the ring gear.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LUIGGI
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  • 2001 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
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How I can replace the starter, do you have instructions or video. Any help would be appreciated.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,650 POSTS
Hi:
All you need to do is disconnect the battery, disconnect the wiring from the starter, unbolt the starter (should only be two bolts), and remove it. To replace it, just reverse the process.

If you need pictures and step by step instructions, I recommend purchasing a Chiltons manual for your vehicle. It will be helpful.

If this helps, let me know, or if you have any questions, let me know.
Joe
PS: Based on what engine you have, access to the starter may be limited. If I recall, the last one I replaced I gained access to it by removing the driver's side tire, and went through the fender. That was a 3.9L.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAKOTABC
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  • 1 POST
  • 1999 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
I need to know the best way to access and remove/replace the starter. It is in such a confined location with limited access (without removing many major components such as the skid plate or wheel well). I know the wheel/tire must be removed, but what next? Thanks
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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You are right. They are hard to get to. However, it can be done. Accept the fact that you must remove the skid plate and inner fender. That is the easiest way to get to it. Also, make sure that you disconnect the battery before starting.

Joe
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MOTTTOCS1
  • MEMBER
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  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 137,000 MILES
What is the bolt size holding the starter on? Also, what is the best way to remove the bolts if they are hard to remove?

Thank you
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
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Hello,

The Bolt size can very from vehicle to vehicle and will depend on if they have been replaced before.

Most common sizes can range from 1/2" - 5/8" and 12mm - 18mm.

As far as breaking them loose sometimes you need to be inventive. If you have limited space to work in but can get a wrench on it and you know how to interlock 2 wrenches, this will give you more leverage or if you have a 16" pipe that will fit over the wrench to give you more leverage.

.
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DFELDER
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Used a really long extension(28 in) impact universal joint and impact gun, bolts out in 10 min then 1 hr of futsing trying to get starter out of engine bay, good luck
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONY MONGELLI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1987 DODGE DAKOTA
How to remove starter was told u have 2 remove steering collum thanks tony
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Starter is nowhere near the steering column. Replacement steps are below.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. If the vehicle is so equipped, remove the front axle skid plate and skid plate crossmember.
4. Remove the nut and lock washer from the starter mounting stud.
5. Remove the screw from the upper starter mounting flange hole. If the vehicle is so equipped, slide the automatic transmission cooler tube bracket forward on the tubes far enough for clearance.
6. Move the starter towards the front of the vehicle until the starter gear housing nose clears the bellhousing. Then tilt the nose downwards and lower the starter far enough to access the starter solenoid wire harness connector.
7. Remove the two nuts that secure the battery cable and solenoid feed wire to the terminals on the starter solenoid. Remove the starter solenoid wire harness connector from the solenoid terminals.
8. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.
9. Reverse the removal procedures to install. Tighten the starter hardware as follows:
- Lower mounting nut - 68 N.M (50 ft. Lbs.)
- Upper mounting screw - 68 N.M (50 ft. Lbs.)
- Battery cable terminal nut - 14 N.M (120 in. Lbs.)
- Solenoid wire harness terminal nut - 6 N.M (55 in. Lbs.).
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Friday, June 26th, 2020 AT 12:13 PM (Merged)

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