Starter Removal help! 96 240sx (Second bolt question)

[sunrat]

Hey guys,

The other week my car started to start slower and slower as the day progressed and finally crapped out on me at work. The battery got fully charged and still all I heard was the "clicking" noise when I tried to start. This makes me believe it is the starter.

So, I am trying to change my starter, and after looking through myriad amount of posts, I am still stuck. I cannot find this second bolt that holds the starter in. I have located, I believe, the first bolt ( picture with red marking) but where in the frick is the second bolt?!

Thanks!

EDIT- Here is a youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6d2ruRLf38

[silvia_s14]

Damn bro. Right on the other side of that hump on the tranny is ur other bolt

[sunrat]

Damn bro. Right on the other side of that hump on the tranny is ur other bolt

So, basically its parallel to this first bolt but on the other side? How the heck can you get to that. My hand cant behind it to even reach it.

edit- will taking the first bolt off loosen the starter some so I can reach the second bolt on the other side possibly? Or is this one of those where it wouldn't make a difference?

[silvia_s14]

Yup yup yup. Try with wrench or maybe small socket and one of those swivels. Should be able to just put the ratchet on maybe with a small extension and unscrew it. Gotta do it I guess like a blind view can't see but feel what ur doing

Edit. Yea un bolt one and then as u unbolt the other pull starter off as u take off the second bolt I guess if it helps. Can't remember but it was lil tricky but got it right awway

[afiser]

look on your replacement starter to see where the second bolt will be. its really not that difficult, if i remember right, i used a wrench to get it loose, then finished it off with a small socket.

[fliprayzin240sx]

If you're having issues getting your man-hands up there, get a couple of long ass extensions, long enough to reach it from behind the transmission, with a swivel on the end and you should be able to reach it from behind the tranny or the side.

http://www.zeroyon.com/pics/installs/ostwin/DSCF0002.JPG

[sunrat]

hey guys i posted a youtube video at the top as well to confirm that it sounds like a bad starter. Thanks.

Yea I cannot get my hands up there I guess I will have to buy some tools sometime.

[sunrat]

Alright, I cannot even get the first bolt off haha. I am just going to let it sit for and work on it another day. So, the first bolt is located on the picture and the second one is on the other side of that first bolt? I really have to jack this car up pretty high for this one don't I?

[sunrat]

Ok, so I heard you could get the second bolt out from the top as well (behind the intake manifold). So, I took a picture of what I hope is the second bolt (the one on top) let me know if this is it. This is looking down from the passenger side behind the intake manifold.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Cant tell, if thats the last bolt, the starter should start moving if you loosen that one. But in all honesty, you'd be better of going from under the car. Thats the only way you'd get it out of the car anyways, under the car.

Also, MAKE SURE YOUR BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED!!! You'd be surprised how many people forget to do that shit and end up grounding shit out in the process.

[sunrat]

Cant tell, if thats the last bolt, the starter should start moving if you loosen that one. But in all honesty, you'd be better of going from under the car. Thats the only way you'd get it out of the car anyways, under the car.

Also, MAKE SURE YOUR BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED!!! You'd be surprised how many people forget to do that shit and end up grounding shit out in the process.

Yea, going underneath the car yields me in not even finding the top bolt. But, I was very frustrated today and I just have this phobia of being underneath a car lol. I have like 2 jackstands and the little jack that came with the car. So, I will retry Wednesday when I am off work. I did get the bottom bolt off (finally that sucker was on there hard).

I have the negative terminal off of the battery that is good enough right? Thanks for the help so far everyone.

[sunrat]

bump

so, the second bolt is like about 12 o clock if I was looking at the transmission head on?

[Turbo Nismo]

bump

so, the second bolt is like about 12 o clock if I was looking at the transmission head on?

Yes thats correct. Try to find it with your fingers and a blind view. It's not so hard.

[KiLLeR2001]

But, I was very frustrated today and I just have this phobia of being underneath a car lol.

Better get over that phobia quick or you have no place working on cars. Might as well take it to a shop.

[jakez]

Dude I don't know shit about cars, it would take me 2 hours to change the oil lol, but I just went through a huge bout with starter problems on my s13 sr and I am happy to say I can change the starter in 20 mins from the top of the car don't even have to jack it up, you absolutely do not have to get under the car to replace the starter, and if you do it's only to get a better grip on a longer socket wrench and break the bolt(s) loose. And that clicking noise is exactly what mine was doing when it went bad. I used a small socket wrench and socket (12mm?) and it's easy as pie. Just unclip the little wire with your hand and unbolt the power wire with a basic wrench. The power wire bolt was actually the hardest thing to get to but if you took the starter bolts out first you should be able to take the power wire off easily.

You can stand on the passenger side of the car and look down and literally see both of the bolts if you look correctly. One is on top and the other is directly on the other side. My best advice would be to just put your hand down there and grip the starter and then feel around for the holes on it where the bolts are coming through from the other side and then just guesstimate where the bolt head would be based on the starter holes.

Edit: I was going to go take some pics for you because I know how everyone on this forum wants to be some kind of expert that hates new 240 owners or people learning how to work on a car and just want to poke fun and say you shouldn't own a 240 and not help at all (like the resident dickhead above me). But I realized I think you have a KA and I am sr20det and sr20 tranny. But I believe the location for the bolts on both are the same, I took a bolt off my friends KA and it was WAY easier than my sr. Either way I'd say just put your hand down on the starter and then slowly follow it with your fingers to find the 2 holes, then locate the bolt heads based on where the starter holes are.

And yeah like flip said make sure you disconnect the damn battery first, lol my dumbass burnt/melted a spot of my wrench when I went to take the power wire bolt off, I don't know how it didn't get my hand.

Sorry for the long post but I feel your pain from one newbie to another and want to help out lol.

[SLiDe_WaYz]

Man, it's way more simpler than what your putting into it. Disconnect the battery of course, un bolt the 2 nuts and what not on the end of the starter. Next take a swivel or regular socket wrench to the top bolt ( goes into tranny ) if it's too hard take a breaker bar to it, shouldn't be to hard, next go to the bolt directly under the starter in the same place as the one above, go from underneath the car, do the same thing as stated above swivel, extension, breaker bar. It might take 20min at the most to switch them out.

Not trying to be a dick but really if you can't do this you shouldn't own a 240 I'm actually really surprised you didn't get flames extremely hard for help with this.

[Smurf_240SX]

I just did that today, I used a just a flex head ratchet. It was easier to get it from the bottom for me. Took like 40mins tops from the point of jacking up the car to lowering it back down.

[jakez]

Man, it's way more simpler than what your putting into it. Disconnect the battery of course, un bolt the 2 nuts and what not on the end of the starter. Next take a swivel or regular socket wrench to the top bolt ( goes into tranny ) if it's too hard take a breaker bar to it, shouldn't be to hard, next go to the bolt directly under the starter in the same place as the one above, go from underneath the car, do the same thing as stated above swivel, extension, breaker bar. It might take 20min at the most to switch them out.

Not trying to be a dick but really if you can't do this you shouldn't own a 240 I'm actually really surprised you didn't get flames extremely hard for help with this.

You typed all of that and didn't help whatsoever. You basically told him "man its easy take the 2 bolts off". He's trying to locate the correct bolts. And the funny thing is it's a million times easier than what you said, you can remove the starter with a simple socket wrench from the top of the car, period. Also love the "shouldn't own a 240" comment, just proves my point in my previous post lol, everyone here especially the premium members just love to trash talk someone new to 240's or modding a car, we all start somewhere don't we? Stop being dickheads and actually help or don't post at all.

[SLiDe_WaYz]

How did I not tell him the location of the two bolts.... The bolt right below the intake manifold on the top of the starter and the other bolt is DIRECT opposite of that one underneath going into the trans. I really don't know how much more spoon feeding it can be?

And to add to it's easier than what I said, I basically spelled it out step by step on how to do it and IF YOU CAN'T BREAK IT FREE take a breaker bar to it with a swivel and extension.

[jakez]

How did I not tell him the location of the two bolts.... The bolt right below the intake manifold on the top of the starter and the other bolt is DIRECT opposite of that one underneath going into the trans. I really don't know how much more spoon feeding it can be?

And to add to it's easier than what I said, I basically spelled it out step by step on how to do it and IF YOU CAN'T BREAK IT FREE take a breaker bar to it with a swivel and extension.

If you read the thread you would know that 1. he located and removed the bottom bolt already and 2. he's having a hard time locating the top one so "goes into tranny" doesn't help much.

I understand that you're trying to help him but I've noticed a lot that experienced peoples explanations are like Greek to a newbie who needs it spelled out for them probably from another newbie who just figured it out, just my opinion.

[SLiDe_WaYz]

If you read the thread you would know that 1. he located and removed the bottom bolt already and 2. he's having a hard time locating the top one so "goes into tranny" doesn't help much.

I understand that you're trying to help him but I've noticed a lot that experienced peoples explanations are like Greek to a newbie who needs it spelled out for them.

Wait, this coming from someone who said it takes them 2 hours to change the oil. And stating yourself that your a noob. I don't know how much more clear my post could have been from a step by step guide on what to do. You don't get spoon fed on this forum like this, if you learn how to search there is a step by step guide with pictures for almost any and everything SR/KA related in the tech section.

[SLiDe_WaYz]

Here can't get ANYMORE clear than this.

1: disconnect battery ( of course )
2: remove 2 nuts on end of starter and remove connected wires
3: go from underneath ( easiest way and use jack stands ) and follow the starter with your hand to where the starter meets the trans you should feel a 14-16MM bolt on top might be a little hard to break free.
4: get a ratchet wrench or socket on the bolt and break it free it's a long bolt.
5: REPEAT step 3 for the bottom bolt.
6: replace starter with the new one and hand thread the top bolt and bottom bolt into the trans a few turns.
7: re connect the wires to the starter and hand tighten the nut onto the end of the starter then tighten with wrench.
8: re connect the power wire to the starter from lower harness, and re connect the battery.
9: if that doesn't work check and make sure all your grounds are clean and grounded to bare metal on the frame.
10: still don't get it, get a flash light and take some good pics for extra help.


Clear as it can be.

[jakez]

Wait, this coming from someone who said it takes them 2 hours to change the oil. And stating yourself that your a noob. I don't know how much more clear my post could have been from a step by step guide on what to do. You don't get spoon fed on this forum like this, if you learn how to search there is a step by step guide with pictures for almost any and everything SR/KA related in the tech section.

I was joking about the oil changing thing and most of the pictures on the forum aren't there because the host is gone or something because the poster(s) for some reason didn't upload them to the forum instead. And I know for a fact there's no step by step picture guide to removing the starter because I searched my ass off when I had starter problems and had to eventually just go for it and figure it out myself. The only reason no one here is "spoon fed" is because this community or maybe 240 owners in general are a bunch of know it all assholes. I know how to search, I make a living working online, no amount of searching can solve the little questions and problems a newbie has, and when they go to ask a simple question instead of getting a simple answer they get people like you saying they shouldn't own a car. Anyway I'm not going to go back and forth anymore I'm sorry.

[sunrat]

Better get over that phobia quick or you have no place working on cars. Might as well take it to a shop.

I have worked on cars plenty of times. Changed alternators, water pumps and things. I have gotten underneath the car plenty of times, maybe it was because I watched final destination 5 before doing this? lol. I will attempt it right now.

[sunrat]

Wow.

Jakez- thanks for your help you have been kind throughout this whole situation.

For the other people, who are you to judge who can own a 240sx or not? I appreciate the help as I am about to work on this car right now but I do not work on my car very often. I came to this forum for help but I don't need your sass. I appreciate the information you have given me, but honestly, lose the attitude people.

[sunrat]

Hey,

I want to make sure but I am I supposed to remove these two? I think the one on the right goes to the iginition and the one on the left is on the solenoid?

Looks like I will have to remove the top bolt on the top because there is no way I can even reach the top bolt from underneath the car. My finger barely touches the top bolt, let alone getting a tool up there to remove it. The body of the car caves into the transmission and I can't find a way to get a tool up there.

Car specs:

96 240sx KA engine
Automatic.

Edit- I have my negative off my battery should I remove the positive as well or it shouldn't even matter?

[WIKID S4TEEN]

You're never gonna get to those screws without an extension.
Buy this Amazon.com: GearWrench 81244 3/8-Inch Drive Standard Extension, 12-Inch Length: Home Improvement (http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81244-Standard-Extension-12-Inch/dp/B003DA5N5G)

And leave the positive batt post alone.

[sunrat]

Update:

I finally got the starter off and took it to autozone and it was crap. Got a new one and I will attemp to install it tomorrow since its dark now. That top bolt is the devil. Here is what I used:

Bunch of extensions=> Flex (U) joint=> 6 point 14mm socket.

It took a lot of wiggling around and a lot of wd 40 to finally break it free but I got it.

When I put this new one on I hope the top bolt will be easier on me this time. I plan on just putting the bottom bolt to hold it in place and wiggle the top bolt in and tighten the top bolt almost all the way in, then tighten the bottom and then top it off by tightening the top. This is of course after I put back on the ignition clip and positive post.

[jakez]

Damn, I guess the KA starter is a lot harder to get to than the SR. Good luck dude!

[sunrat]

Ok, I got the starter installed and it works.

Summary:

Use extensions with a u joint and a 14mm socket to get the top bolt off (from underneath the car). You really have to be patient as it will come off. What I did was I just used the u joint with the 14mm socket and placed it in the bolt. Then, put the extensions on and def get pissed off at something because that bolt was hard to get off. This is of course after you take off the bottom bolt, take off the clip and undo the positive terminal on the solenoid.

Hopefully, my pictures are still in this thread because the picture I posted where I asked if it was the 2nd bolt was actually the 2nd (top) bolt.

Good luck if you ever have to change your starter for the first time!

[Meow636]

I will be attempting this tomorrow!

[WIKID S4TEEN]

Thanks for bumpng an old ass thread just to share that....GL i guess...???

[Meow636]

Thanks man this "simple" stuff is exciting for people new to the 240 game !

[hooknbook240sx]

I find it best to use a flex-head ratcheting 14mm wrench to get that akwardly placed upper bolt. Takes a few minutes but can be done. good luck.

[rebornS14]

Damn, I guess the KA starter is a lot harder to get to than the SR. Good luck dude!

it's really not. he's just having a hard time and like he said, doesn't really work on cars. takes like 30 minutes or less if you know how.


WISH YOU WERE CLOSER BUD, iD COME HELP YOU

[waxball88]

Im so glad i have air tools, 20mins tops. Long ass extension and swivel-14mm air ratchet.

[Butcher240sx]

I use a box end wrecch and hook my right arm under the fue lines to get to the top bolt.

[shift_down]

I pulled out the whole tranny without ANY extensions. Dude, the bolt is right there and super easy to get off. If you cant reach it, loosten the motor mounts and jack the car up from the oil pan, that will tilt the motor forward and you can reach the bolts easier.