I am still trouble-shooting my intermittant starting problem.

Last two days, the car has started perfectly. Kinda hard to troubleshoot with no problems.

Anyway, I was looking for where the top bolt comes thru in the engine bay and can't locate it for the life of me. WHat am I missing? Do I need to pull the tin?

if you have a 2.0 its underneath the airbox, mounted directly to the flywheel area in the back, driver side.


actually it doesnt matter what engine you have. it'll be there. its also next to the injector grounds.


b

15mm nut in the engine bay on the engine case. If the 15mm fits, you have the correct nut.

What they said....once you find it you'll never forget it..

first starter change took around two hours.

next one took five minutes.

QUOTE (bd1308 @ Nov 13 2005, 07:36 PM)

first starter change took around two hours. next one took five minutes.

Exactly what I am trying to avoid.

Gonna carry a small ball peen hammer to tap the solanoid when it doesn't start next time.

uh i used a BFH. carried it in my car.

looked like an idiot on the wet ground banging on my car.

happy monday. the bolt goes through from the rear. the bolt head is captured by a notch on the starter. the nut lives on the engine side of the tin.

k

QUOTE (davep @ Nov 13 2005, 06:56 PM)

15mm nut in the engine bay on the engine case. If the 15mm fits, you have the correct nut.

Unless some doofus has replaced it with a 17mm nut .................... The Cap'n

QUOTE (bd1308 @ Nov 13 2005, 10:36 PM)

first starter change took around two hours. next one took five minutes.

LOL! Been there, done that. Once you find that nut, you'll never forget it. And you won't look at the bolt and see how it's captured by the casting and wonder how the heck you're ever going to get the bolt to turn.

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 13 2005, 11:45 PM)

Gonna carry a small ball peen hammer to tap the solanoid when it doesn't start next time.

Wow... I thought that was a GM thing. I used to carry a BFH in my '77 Firebird for that purpose.

Anybody know of a source for the factory bolt with the "D" shaped head?

Did you check with Pelican? If it's not on the website, call them and ask if they have it.

So access to that bolt is from the bottom, not the top then?

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 14 2005, 08:13 AM)

So access to that bolt is from the bottom, not the top then?

The nut is accessed from the top, and that is what you have to remove.
The bolt is wedged by the starter.

Disconnect the battery first, then disconnect the electrical connectors.
Then start by removing the upper nut from inside the engine compartment.
Then you remove the lower nut from the starter side underneath.
Then you can pull the whole starter (and upper bolt) from the transmission.
The lower nut is threaded on a stud that is threaded into the transmission.

QUOTE (davep @ Nov 14 2005, 08:55 AM)

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 14 2005, 08:13 AM) So access to that bolt is from the bottom, not the top then? The nut is accessed from the top, and that is what you have to remove. The bolt is wedged by the starter. Disconnect the battery first, then disconnect the electrical connectors. Then start by removing the upper nut from inside the engine compartment. Then you remove the lower nut from the starter side underneath. Then you can pull the whole starter (and upper bolt) from the transmission. The lower nut is threaded on a stud that is threaded into the transmission.

Thanks very much for the details, one last question?

Do I need to remove any tin to get at the nut from the top? I looked for it the other day and couldn't locate it.

Also, I used my hammer this AM. Yup, starter is going.

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 15 2005, 01:21 PM)

Do I need to remove any tin to get at the nut from the top? I looked for it the other day and couldn't locate it.

nope. it's right there. follow the red arrow.

open engine lid, remove air cleaner, look for it on the drivers side, top of engine block, near the rear tin.

Andy

remove air cleaner

AH HA!! That's what I am talking about!

Thank you muchly.

Right. So I ordered my compact stater last night, should be here tomorrow.

Any last hints before I lose skin on my knuckles?

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 17 2005, 11:40 AM)

Any last hints before I lose skin on my knuckles?

while you're under there, check the tranny ground-strap ...

Andy

take a picture of the wires before you take them off of the starter. examine the condition of the wire end terminals after you take the picture.

k

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Nov 17 2005, 11:01 AM)

QUOTE (KaptKaos @ Nov 17 2005, 11:40 AM) Any last hints before I lose skin on my knuckles? while you're under there, check the tranny ground-strap ... Andy

Checked that this past weekend.

Update: I just finished. Not sure how you guys do that swap in 15 minutes. That damn top nut is a bitch to get at.

Hardest part was getting the nut back on after I put the new starter in. Had the wife come out and hold the bolt for me. Nothing sexier than a woman under a car, but I digress.

Anyway - its done. Sounds very different when starting, but it starts right up.

Thanks to all for your help.

Ha! I just re-installed my starter today, but I was under the car, while my wife threaded the bolt in the engine bay.

i pulled it up for you.

k