Starter motor removal; how to do it?

[Snizzers]

Hi there guys, my starter has died (just spins up and whines without engaging with flywheel) and confirmed by RAC who towed me home.

I cant find my ****** Haynes after tearing through the house ....

Can anyone give me a very brief run down on how to take it off. Eg do I do it from bonnet side or underneath on ramps, how many bolts. is it easy etc.

Anu help much apreciated... Thanks in advance.............

[paulvectrac]

what engine is it

[Snizzers]

Oh sorry i forgot to state the obvious.........Its a 55 plate 1.9 CDti 150 estate manual

[Critch]

3 bolts a think there 10 mm

an a think it can be done from above.

pretty obivious but make sure you disconnect the battery. i usually disconected pos and neg that way ensures no wires are live.

adam

[Snizzers]

Thanks for the reply. I am a bit wary of disconnecting the battery as alarm goes off and ill have to put codes in here and there. Aren't the cables on the starter dead until ignition switch energise it?

[Critch]

starter is permenant live.

the only code you have to put in is the radio code. and if you need to lock car etc while you wait on new one just tape end of pos cable at starter so it doesnt eart anywhere and connect battery cables back up and alarm will work as normal

[elite150]

Not being a mechanic myself but also needing to change the starter motor is it just a straight foward job of remove wires, remove bolts, remove starter then re-install??? Any specialist tools needed??? Trying to save money and dont mind getting my hands dirty if its easy enough.

[Critch]

Simple as that mate. Just ensure the right wires go back in right place.

[Snizzers]

Well i changed the starter motor in the end; not actually that difficult but pretty fiddly with big hands like me. I did the whole thing from bonnet side although I did remove the plastic shield from under the engine which helps when you inevitably drop a bolt or nut. There are 3 x 13 mm (spanner size) bolts; 2 on top and 1 under the starter solenoid bit. There is no room for a std 1/2 inch ratchet (too long). I could get a 1/4 in there on some of them with the 1/2 inch socket that makes a tight 13 mm. A selection of short 13 mm spanners will help. there are 3 electrical connections; 1 just the earth on the lower motor mounting bolt, 1 small wire on solenoid (key switch energized bit) and 1 large wire on solenoid that does the cranking once relay energised. I did disconnect the battery as Critch pointed out it is live all the time and when spannering this terminal to undo it YOU WILL hit other metal parts with the spanner which would turn the whole lot into a brilliant firework display. Once all free I moved the motor towards the right and temporarily shifted the water filler bottle (just clipped on) and pulled in through this gap. Motor was £130 + vat at Euro car parts. Vaux wanted £350 + vat but in their embarressment told me to contact Eurocar parts LOL. Many thanks for all who offered advice. I hope the notes hep others..........