98 Qx4 Starter problems (includes mini Starter Replacement Guide w/ Pics)

[UpUp_Away]

One morning before work, the ol' Qx wouldn't start. The battery was fine (load tested), the car just wouldn't crank. So I hit the starter and solenoid with a hammer which got it going again, I used this opportunity to drive up race ramps for what would inevitably be a day spent under the car. I changed the starter to a Bosch 100% new starter (which includes a new solenoid) afterwhich I drove around the whole weekend with 0 problems. Fast track to today morning, 5 days after replacing the starter, the same problem occurred. Tried to start car, and 0 cranks. This leads me to believe it may have not been the starter or solenoids fault and my original diagnosis was wrong (I'm going to bring the old starter to a car parts store to get it tested).

Any thoughts on what other problems it may be that is causing the motor to not crank when I try to start it?

Full Guide coming soon with future edit.

1. Drive up ramps.
2. Locate Starter underneath passenger footwell side attached to transmission.
3. Use 14mm long socket (extension may be needed here) to remove top bolt. Note: Some force may be needed, so gloves and a bigger socket drive handle is best.
4. Use a 14mm closed end wrench to remove bottom bolt. Note: Because the metal lines are in the way, a socket will not work nor will you be able to completely remove bolt, so just unscrew the bolt all the way and leave it there.
5. At this point, the starter will become loose, unclip the connector. Unscrew the nut.
6. Pull out starter from transmission and maneuver the starter out of the area.
7. Reverse instructions for installation (FSM recommends 35-42 Ft-lb for the two bolts)

[Pathy415]

Keep us updated as I had the problem of no crank but just a click when I tried starting the car. My battery also tested fine with a load tester and also I checked the voltage with car running and all accessories on and everything was in spec.

[UpUp_Away]

For now, it may be three other things, although in your case, the fact you hear a click may mean the solenoid is working? or maybe the click is coming from somewhere else.

1. Starter Relay (whatever that is, I need to look into it)

2. Ignition switch broken (although, it wouldn't explain why the car started originally after I hit the old starter with a hammer, and also the 5 days of problem free starting before the problem popped up again)

3. Transmission lock (apparently I need to try starting it in Neutral, which again, would not explain how I temporarily fixed it.)

I really doubt it is one of those things, so if anybody else has an idea, that would be great!

[MisterH]

What about a loose or intermittent connection? The fact that your starter responded after whacking it might indicate a marginal connection to the starter - bad ground wire?

[atraudes]

It working after a whack means the brushes inside the starter aren't making a good connection. I'd bring it back and make them give you a new one.

[UpUp_Away]

So this morning, it happened again. Since we eliminated the starter/solenoid/battery causes, I proceeded down to the following remaining solutions.

1. ignition key broken: I tried jiggling it and the steering wheel as I tried to start the car. I turned the key with some force. No avail.

2. I pressed on the brake, put the key in ACC, moved the transmission to neutral, and it started right up when I turned the key!

So my issue seems to be related to the transmission lock, and the temporary solution would be to move the lever to N before starting.

[Pathy415]

Hmmmm I may have a similar problem then. Wonder how hard it is to replace the neutral safety switch