Starter Replacement

[scarman46]

Hey,

Have 96 Prizm with bad starter. Anyone ever change one out and how do you get to it without removing the fuel rack? I can't see any way to easily (or difficult) to get to mount bolts and electrical connections. HELP!!

[holmer19]

Scarman,

I have a '98 Prizm with the exact same problem. The bottom 14 mm bolt is accessible, but the top but is COMPLETELY out of reach and hidden from view under the massive intake manifold. It is just one of those things that I am going to have a professional take care of, unless there is a magic seeing-eye fairy wrench that I can buy somewhere!

You think this "problem" was engineered on purpose to keep dealer mechanics employed? I think so!

Regards,

Jon in San Diego

[holmer19]

Those sneaky engineers hid the top bolt, but I found it.

It is actually UNDER and to the RIGHT of the intake manifold, with the head of the bolt accessible going the OPPOSITE way of the bottom bolt.

Admittedly, both bolt head are a pain to get to, but they can be found.

I used a mirror to look for what I thought was going to be the top bolt head, but all I saw was the tip of the shaft! That's when I reached underneath the opposite way and found the head of the top bolt.

TA DA!!!!

Jon