Need a new starter.

[ebalita]

I got the car washed in preparation for me storing it for the winter.When I started the engine, it would not turn. I know the battery is good. It was the starter. I hit it a couple of times with a mallet and it started.

I guess I need to replace the starter. How much should I expect to pay a mechanic to do it.. parts and labor?

Thanks in advance.

[jamesblonde82]

oh man, the starter is so easy to DIY. i've done them twice on the KA motor and it would be very helpful to get a wrench set with ratchet ends on them cuz there is a bolt kinda hard to get to but easy with a ratchet wrench. i don't mean a socket set but an actual wrench with a ratcheting closed end on it.

hopefully its just your starter, because after i replaced mine it still would just *click click click* sometimes before it started...so i replaced the battery cables and it works now. also there is a relay somewhere you can replace...but sounds like its your starter if you gave it a good wack and it came to life.

as far as paying someone to change it, i wouldn't know how much it should cost because i always just do it myself.

[ishkabibble]

It's a pain in the butt the first time you do it yourself. It's only held in by two bolts, but the top bolt is really hard to get at.

A new starter goes for $120-$170, expect to pay $60-$100 for labor if you have a shop install it.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

hopefully its just your starter, because after i replaced mine it still would just *click click click* sometimes before it started...so i replaced the battery cables and it works now. also there is a relay somewhere you can replace...but sounds like its your starter if you gave it a good wack and it came to life.

I'm having that issue right now. Sometimes it starts fine with no problems. Other times it just acts ghey. It usually starts on the 4th try when it's acting up. I'll tend to it this weekend.

I also have to deal with my stereo, clock, left rear side marker, top light, map lights, and some of the dash lighting. They all gave up on me a few days ago.

[1SickSilvia]

"I hit it a couple of times with a mallet and it started." that a boyy good luck with the fix

[jamesblonde82]

I'm having that issue right now. Sometimes it starts fine with no problems. Other times it just acts ghey. It usually starts on the 4th try when it's acting up. I'll tend to it this weekend.

I also have to deal with my stereo, clock, left rear side marker, top light, map lights, and some of the dash lighting. They all gave up on me a few days ago.

i have the part numbers for the new cables. you have to get them from nissan because they have all the harnesses on the pos cable, but you can get the black one from courtesyparts.com

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

i have the part numbers for the new cables. you have to get them from nissan because they have all the harnesses on the pos cable, but you can get the black one from courtesyparts.com

Care to share those part numbers with me?

[ishkabibble]

You can get the negative cable from rockauto for cheap:

ACDELCO Part # 4LF34C {#88860222} CABLE,BAT NEG DIRECT FIT* Non-stock item--shipping delayed up to 12 business days * $13.58

Try wire brushing all of your positive cable connections before actually buying a new positive cable. It worked for me; haven't clicked since.

[cmkelly]

I had mine replaced (after getting tired of hitting it with a hammer) for about $150. Like others have said, it's an easy DIY project if you can get to the one @#$! bolt.

Good luck!

[jamesblonde82]

like ish said the black one u can get cheap, but the red one i only sourced from nissan themselves. i tried just doin the black but still got clicks from my starter. this is with a new starter btw. so i spent the money on the red cable was $119 i believe and havent had the problem since. here is the part number 24077-53F05

and here is a previous thread with some info zerothread?id=285656

i went with replacing instead of cleaning because all those plastic harnesses get brittle and can make connections loose.

ebalita.....that upper bolt is easy to get off if you get a metric wrench set with closed ends that ratchet, perfect for tight spots like that.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Thanks for info

[Florida240sx]

Starter swaps are so easy.... Come on now. Di I need to do a write-up even though I don't need to replace?

[numnutzzz]

i dont see how the box end ratchet wrench could fit inside that hidden bolt. all i can think of is to take the old filter out for clearance and search for the bolt head with an extension. then snap in the ratchet and start loosening. correct me if im wrong. because i need to do this starter change soon too.

[Patarach]

Remove the rear transmission crossmember and jack up the front of the engine so that the motor tilts back. you might have to undo you shift boots before you do this, as well as possibly the driveshaft, it also might be a good time to change you gear oil.

edit: the racket wrench probabley won't work, i personally used a regular racket with a 3 inch extension and a swivel, worked very well.
Modified by Patarach at 10:01 PM 12/12/2007

[jamesblonde82]

the only thing i got to work, and it worked amazingly 3 times...was a ratcheting wrench.

http://www.cactusbike.com/imag...9.jpg

i can easily feel the bolt and not enough room for a socket...was able to get my wrench in there i dont know how but this was one of the easiest things ive done to my vert guys.

[Florida240sx]

lol yall fail write-up this weekend if I have time

[ebalita]

Thanks guys.

[ishkabibble]

I had to use a really narrow open-end wrench to get at the upper bolt. It took me about 40 minutes to get the friggen thing off the first time, and 2 minutes each time after that.

[ebalita]

I am sick of having to hit the starter with a mallet. I don't use the car a lot but... having to do it is getting to be a pain.

I called my mechanic. He said a rebuilt starter would be $120... he said $200 with labor.

Is that fair?

[ishkabibble]

Yes.

[DeXteR]

It's fair if he doesn't screw something up... I have a hard time trusting other people with anything that belongs to me.

[94_240sx]

he said $200 with labor.

A mechanic who knows 240s very well quoted me $50 for the labor. I think your mechanic will drop transmission mount and tilt the engine and that's why labor is expensive. Find someone who's swapped starters before on 240s using rachet wrench just like jamesblonde82 did.

[biggie]

Yes, shouldn't take anyone more than 30 minutes on a lift.

[ishkabibble]

He's probably just charging book rate. No need to undo the mount.

[ebalita]

Thank you all for your replies.