How much of a PITA to change starter?

[LBoy]

I've done a few searches but could not find anything mentioning the procedure to replace the starter. Just wondering what a pain it is to actually pull out and put back in. Its a 97 Mountaineer(AWD,302).
Yesterday I had starting issues,the relay would click fine....and you can tell the starter is pulling current because the dash and dome lights dim quite a bit. It would act up and not start,then I would try the key a few more times and it would go. Last night in 15 degree weather after work it just qould not start. I left it there. Looked around here and noticed a lot of people mentioning the poor connections. Went back today and crawled under the thing and wiggled the cable to start with. Got like half a crank out of it this time. Went back under and tapped starter and wiggled the wires some more. This time it fired right up.
The battery is 5 months old,and the thing cranks at full speed when it finally does turn over so its not the battery being weak.
Does the fact that the lights dim when I hit the key and the relay closes suggest the connection is supplying decent current to the starter?
I don't want to yank the thing out,clean the connections and what not,put it back in adn then have to take it out again to replace the starter....
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Glacier991]

What generally fails is the solenoid that operates the starter and the bendix gear. I'm guessing yours is going out. The tap the starter trick has worked for years and is generally a fair indicator of that issue.

Pulling the starter is not actually that bad of a job. Access and work space is the biggest problem usually. I have a 92 4.0 so cannot directly speak to your situation on a 97, but it should be similar. In 218,000 miles I've replaced my starter twice. While I never consider starter replacement "fun".. it's not that terrible a job. Stubby rachets with flex heads can be helpful as I recall. It's 2 bolts and you are home.

I'm sure you already have, but be sure and check all your wiring connections, even at the battery for cleanliness and any signs of corrosion. If they are all good, then it is probably an afternoon on your back under the car time.

I am sure you have read this, but if not this is a good thread on starters.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146784

 

[LBoy]

Thanks for the reply. I just yanked the starter out and the connections looked ok....I think for the sake of it I am going to go to an auto parts store the have the starter load tested?

 

[Glacier991]

That's a good plan. I'd only caution that the starter can act up intermittently... but yeah, they should test it for free. Let us know how you make out !

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Chris (Glacier991) noted the "tap" on starter fix...that works, but with the newer type of starters it may cause things to bind or fall out of place (i.e magnets) There is a thread that I wrote up about starting conditions...its in my useful threads in my signature. Goodluck

-Drew

 

[Diddy74]

I had starter issues a few months back also and truthfully its not all that bad, but its no fun on your back in the cold in the dark! Corrosion or a bad connection could be the culprit, I recall seeing somewhere someone had plastic or rubber caps on the solenoid terminals, good idea if your undercarriage is frequently exposed to water

 

[Glacier991]

Ahem... Drew <bap> pay attention. Your thread was the link I directed him to. <grin>

 

[LBoy]

Thank you for all the help and replies! I brought the starter in to the auto parts store to be load tested, and sure enough it was dead. I'm heading out to the garage to put the new one in right now!

Also, by the way, it only took about 15 or 20 minutes to get the old one out.

 

[Glacier991]

Auto repair is a funny thing.... now and then you end up GLAD some part turns out to be BAD and need replacing! Happy you got it diagnosed, let us know how good it feels to have it fixed !