Do you want to fix or replace your vehicle started and is asking yourself, where is the Starter located in my car? If that is you, you have come to the right place.
This article answers some questions about your starter motor, such as where is the Starter located, a step-by-step guide to locating the Starter in your specific vehicle model, some starter problems and how to fix them, and so much more.
Let’s get started!
Where Is the Starter Located?
The Starter is located on the driver’s side of a vehicle between the transmission and the vehicle’s engine, beneath the left mound of cylinders. It is attached to the mounting plates and is held by a few bolts. It also has two wires running to it.
Starter enables your car engine to start and function properly. It is a minor device that gets powered by the vehicle’s battery. if a starter is bad, the car won’t start.
Replacing a starter motor is not something you often do because it is a reliable component. Unlike other parts of the vehicle, it might only require a replacement once throughout its lifespan.
Also Read: How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter (9 Fast Ways)
How to Locate the Starter on a Car
To locate your vehicle’s Starter, carefully follow the steps outlined below;
Step 1
Open your vehicle’s hood and have someone switch on the ignition key. Observe and check for any clicking sound that comes right under the hood. Close to the engine, search for a bolted cylindrical part.
You might see two hex bolts that secure the Starter; on other occasions, they may be more. Once this side has been found with less hunting, you have found the Starter.
Step 2
Find the positive terminal of your vehicle battery. The terminal has a red cable that is fastened to it. You might find a plastic cover suppressed to it, especially if the vehicle is a new model.
Step 3
Continue following the cable until it has reached the connecting post. This post is a component of the Starter.
Just like the Starter, It has so many wires that go to other engines’ electrical systems, and it is found at the edge of the cylinder.
The cable runs under some compartment like the air intake manifold, making observation difficult.
Search for two cylindrical structures, not the same size, one wider than the other, making up the Starter. Take note; one of the cylinders is the solenoid while the other is the Starter itself.
How to Locate the Starter Solenoid
A starter solenoid is responsible for the emission of electrical power into the Starter. Whenever the ignition is turned, the Starter cranks the vehicle. To locate the solenoid, you must know the location of the Starter.
A defective ignition system that requires troubleshooting can cause a bad solenoid, and replacing the bad solenoid implies that the Starter has to be removed. The vehicle has to be raised to allow the Starter to be accessed.
Step 1
Ensure your vehicle is placed on a leveled ground and the brakes properly set. Restrain the wheels from rolling by making use of a wedging chock.
Step 2
Get the hood open so that you can inspect the engine system. The positive signal from the battery should be disconnected, then using a socket wrench, release the cable out of the terminal.
Step 3
Place a jack underneath the front cross member and lift your vehicle from the front. The vehicle should be raised high so that two jack stands can be slid under the vehicle’s frame rails. Now bring the vehicle down, so it rests on the stand.
Step 4
Continue following the positive cable until it connects to a connecting post. Usually, the cable at the positive terminal is fixed to the starter solenoid, positioned on the Starter.
The vehicle model and starter type determine whether the solenoid stays at the top on the rear of the Starter. The cable at the positive terminal often stays connected with the Starter.
To locate the solenoid, you must know the location of the Starter. A starter motor is mostly found on the driver’s position between the transmission and the vehicle engine, beneath the left mound of cylinders.
It is attached to the mounting plates and is held by a few bolts. It also has two wires running to it. The solenoid is close to the Starter.
Also Read: Car Stutters When Starting (How To Fix)
Where Is the Starter Located on Various Vehicle Models?
The following are where you can find a starter in various vehicle models
Where is the Starter Located in a Ford Taurus?
The starter motor is a hard cylinder approximately 5-7 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. It has a little wiring harness that secures the engine from the end and three bolts.
In cases where locating the Starter seems abortive, observe the thick red cable that runs from the battery positive terminal underneath the engine. The starter motor is attached to the opposite side.
On Older Ford Taurus (from first down to the third generations), the starters are found behind the engine, close to the firewall.
From the fourth generation to the newer Taurus, the Starter is found at the front side of the engine, close to the radiator.
In recent generation vehicles, the Starter is suppressed behind a plastic splash shield that must be removed.
Where Is the Starter Located on a Honda Civic?
Pop the hood of your vehicle and stand in front. A large uncovered battery sits high in the engine part.
Two terminals feed right out of the car battery; a red and black terminal. With your fingers, get hold of the black terminal wire.
The black terminal wire goes on beneath the engine, stopping first at the starter motor. You may need a stand jack and a flashlight.
Raising the vehicle from the front will grant you access to the location of the Starter, which is underneath the engine.
The starter motor connects directly to the terminal wire of the negative battery. The starter motor is a hard cylinder about 6 inches in length, attaching the flywheel and transmitting a charge from the battery.
Where Is the Starter Located on a Chrysler Cirrus?
2.4L Cirrus Starter Location
The Starter is located under the TCM for a Cirrus having a 2.4-liter engine. This TCM is a metal box close to the front of the engine part at the driver side, at the left plastic housing, tagged “Fuse Access.”
If you want to remove the Starter, unbolt the TCM so you can have access to the top and separate the air inlet resonator. An extra bolt attaches the Starter and transaxle and can only be inspected from below.
2.5L Cirrus Starter Location
A Chrysler Cirrus having a 2.5-liter engine has the Starter close to the oil filter and should be inspected from below. It is suspended to the transaxle with three clips.
To access and get the Starter removed, you must take away the oil filter and remove the bolts that hold the exhaust pipe and manifold together.