Here's a quick video on how to remove your starter motor. With the proper tools shown in the video, you can have your starter removed in under 30 minutes!
I’ve replaced timing belt , water pump etc , pulled top end - fuil injector replacement, radiator replacement & so much more on my 96 4-runner. All the above were piece of cake fun projects. The starter replacement , it was miserable experience 4 hours of pure hell I will never forget. Bolt access & tight work conditions were very frustrating not a left hand friendly job
Hey thanks for watching. Sorry I didn’t show me actually removing the starter. I’m trying to update the video now. I just filmed myself removing one! We’ll see if I can add it to the end of this video! 🤪
So stoked about this video. Not only did you show an easy way to do this, you dispelled my fears that the starter might be located in the middle of the V.
Great video, I just took the starter out yesterday. Your video really helped me decide whether to DIY or pay the price at he shop. I found out removing the ABS brake line support bracket made swinging the brake line back out of the way a little easier. Thank you.
Super Thanks!!! Too freaking easy! I did mine in the store parking lot where it died. At night! Tip: Make sure you use 6 POINT METRIC tools and that are fully seated on the bolts! Don't use 12 point sockets or Standard sockets you will strip the bold heads. Right tool for the right job. Spray the bolts with WD-40 to help breakup some of the corrosion. You are working on a part that is exposed to heavy corrosion!.
Read the Hanes book before I even bought the starter, they are useless. I was trying to get it out the rear, but the powersteering lines were in the way. You save me a ton of time. Thanks!
Buy from JUNK YARD $20.00 starter from a 30,000 miles total lost 4runner 2003. Easy to install in 15 minutes . Start engine sound "like new" again. MADE IN JAPAN from a 4runner Limited Edition. Thanks for the video
Thanks so much for posting this!!! it saved me some money from not paying someone else to do it and the time it would have taken me to figure it out on my own!!! cant thank you enough!
Haha for real! When I was first looking at the starter replacement I was thinking WTF... I have to remove the sway bar!? LOL. Thanks for watching, glad my video helped!
awesome video..thanks for the heads up. I was worried I wouldnt be able to remove it because I have a 4x4. I dont have those long extension though...will have to go buy some.
On my [2wd] tacoma, I put the truck on stands to unbolt the starter from underneath and there was JUST enough room to wrangle it out up top. Dropping it out to the underside was impossible with exhaust in place. Never touched brake lines or unbolted anything around it. Extensions are a must, and a wobble [not a u joint] is perfect. The battery lead connection on starter was a minor trouble, but just because of accessing from the underside of the vehicle. And yes: owning a Tacoma means you need a set of gear wrenches. Tightening/changing belts without one is aggravating.
Hey, thanks for taking a look at my video, it’s a very similar procedure to this! But your starter is located on the drivers side for the 2.7 engine. Check out this video, quick and easy! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--mvCZD3jNro.html
You can get OEM manufacturer from Rock Auto. Denso and TYC are available and for less than aftermarket, and both are OEM. I was able to remove the starter from the wheelwell by backing it out (gears toward engine) and black plastic electrical connector UP. It came out at probably a 45 degree angle, will the pulling angle towards the rear of the vehicle. Good luck with the top bolt....a 6 point 14mm socket will keep the bolt head from rounding. You'll need a 20"+ extension for the top bolt as stated in the video, and definitely use a wobble joint close to the socket for the starter bolts.
Just did mine on 1999 V6 4x4 5 spd cal emissions. No need to touch the brake line on these, starter comes out the bottom easily between the bell housing and sway bar. I had the 1.4kW starter. If your starter is clicking, be sure to check the solenoid first (it's part of the starter), I fixed mine for $11 by replacing the plunger and contacts. Beats $90 for a new solenoid or even more for the whole assembly.
+steveslike I have the same, 99 V6, 5 speed with CA emissions. I'm in salty MA, so I'm sure I'd have an issue with breaking the brake line bolts loose. I'll try the bottom removal.
Coincidentally, I did pretty much the same procedure as you did (so far). I moved the brake lines as you did and I got the positive cable off of the starter. Question is how the heck do i pull the "clipped on" connector off? Do I push up, down, pull out or what? It's been frustrating so far (and I'm doing it right now). Don't want to break it but is there a secret to releasing the clip? It's a 98 4Runner and my plan is to replace the contacts in the starter. Thanks
Nice clean runner and great video and tips. Any opinions on how often you change this? Original 1999 4runner started lasted 10 years, replacement 2 years (from a shop...probably cheap), this one is going on 3 years (NAPA). I'm thinking of just taking out and rebuilding it periodically to keep it fresh.
+livingwaterutube It should last for years to come... But yes, cheap one's won't last as long but I wouldn't worry about it until it starts giving you trouble. It's a fairly easy job. Thanks for the comment and watching my video! :)
Why not just use the impact instead of the long extension if it fits up there? Also, can shorter extensions with swivels work to loosen the top mounting bolt? Thanks!
@@85YotaMan I'm confused, if you need the extension to get the bolts broken loose due to space, how in the world did you get the impact in to finish taking them out? Thanks!
i removed and rebuilt my starter using this method today. its a knuckle buster bro, its currently sitting in the black hole below its final location. any tips for re installation?
Hi, I am in need of replacing my starter but can't seem to find an answer as to the location of it. I've searched for engine diagrams, videos, endless searches. The references to "generations" instead of the vehicle YEAR makes it a little confusing. I'm no mechanic, but figured I can save some money if I swap out the starter myself...if I could find it! Is it in the same location as yours? I have a 2002 4Runner, 3.4L V6 Thanks for any info you might have....
nice video.... flip side is my experience... that bolt holding the brake line is was rusted, rounded & stuck.... took a day and a bolt extractor to get it out. Then after moving the brake line out of the way, I can't seem to get the starter out that side hole... just doesn't "pop right out" like you said....
No videos actually show the removing of the bolts to thr starter motor. I can't see or feel them. If someone could help me where to look. Its oily down here lol
arsjth I show where the 2 starter bolts are located at 2:25 in the video. They are on the transmission bell housing next to the exhaust. The bolts are vertically above each other about 5 inches apart.
R Smith thank you for your reply. You show the starter motor out of the car and where the bolts go. The video does not show where they are when the starter motor is in the car. Its oily and i cant see the orientation of the starter motor or even see how bolts might be reached.
this video mentions "pull out the ATF dipstick tube". This is slightly confusing as I think he means "pull out the top part of the dipstick tube". In order to pull the dipstick tube from the transmission oil pan, you need to drain the ATF first, no? Secondly, pulling the top off of the dipstick tube doesn't really help me all that much because the bottom of the dipstick tube is what interferes with the starter removal. Maybe i'm missing something!! Anyway, just needed to clarify that!
Yes, as mentioned you pull out the dipstick tube by removing the 10mm bolt. If it's stuck, give it a little twist. It'll come right out. The lower portion of the tube is welded/part of the transmission pan and cannot come out. No need to drain the fluid.
Hey man, my 96 4wd needs a starter. I started this job and can't get the darn thing out. Dip stick is definitely in the way. I removed the one bolt and the dipstick wiggles but it's still in the way. You removed completely? How?
Shoot! Sorry I didn’t see your comment. Once you remove the one bolt, it will wiggle and pull up out of the engine block. It’s a tight fit with an o-ring. Give her a yank! Hopefully you were able to get the starter installed! Thanks for watching my video.
I tried to remove thru that hole but No Way will it fit thru for 2000 Toyota 4Runner tried every rotation not happening. Could you show it coming out ?
Does the transmission fluid dipstick tube actually come apart and come out? Or did you just push it to the side? I disconnected the bolt that holds it in, disconnected the bolts holding the brake line, and cannot fit the starter out no matter which way I turn it. :(
I use my Dewalt impact to quickly remove the bolts after I break them loose with a wrench. I also use it to re-install them after I start the bolts with my finger first. It makes things much quicker.
I’ve tried every which way and my starter legit won’t come out- both this metho and remove ing the sway bar, I’ve flipped this b so many times still won’t budge
Dipstick Removal impossible because welded in place on Bottom of Transmission Pan then just behind frame and near brake line is a Tube Joint where upper tube is shrink fitted inside lower assembly of Transmission Dip stick Tube and impossible to break free without torc or saw all. When tugging on tube there is a good chance to crack the lower part of tubing where connected directly to transmission pan. May have to remove pan first and that is Not recommended to change trans Fluid from that old of transmission that doesn't leak and runs well and changing fluid will prove to be a mistake with being 22 years old tranny.
tay ski the little clip? You can feel it with your finger. Just squeeze it and wiggle while pulling. It’ll pop off pretty easy! Hope this helps. Thanks for watching. Sorry for skipping that step!
You sure you need to replace the starter. On my 96 with over 200,000 I replace the brushes and it's ready to go. If you replace with aftermarket parts you will be constantly replacing them. Keep the original good quality Japanese part as long as possible
You should have made a video of you sliding it back in the way you pulled it out because mine's not coming out so easy and I get the same exact vehicle I've done everything you said which is work great so far but getting that son-of-a-b**** out
Shoot man, sorry about that. I wish I would have showed that! Lots of people have had that question. Hope you eventually got it slid out, maybe with a little lube! Haha. Thanks for watching my video.
F......k that! I was thinking of getting a 4runner. I'll stick to the old Grand Cherokees. I can change a starter blind folded. I'm done with Japaneese cars.
Ups and downs like all vehicles lol, this starter design is dumb, the 22re starter didnt even have to take the tire off to change...literally lol, took about 5-6 minutes, good rigs though
What engine do you have? If it's this same as this 3.4L v6 you might be able to remove starter out the bottom due to not having 4wd components in your way... But you might have the 4cyl 2.7 liter. That's different but not very hard to do.
2 - 14mm bolts hold starter to bell housing. 2 - 12mm bolts for the brake line. 1 - 12mm bolt for the dipstick. 1 - 12mm nut for the power wire on side of starter.
