Think my starter going. Need Help.

[mentalcase]

I think the starter on my 99 3.2l 4x4 is starting to go. Some times the car starts up and other times the car will just click once until i try and start the car a few more times. I want to replace the starter, but i do not want to pay a mechanic to do it since im trying to save up for a new car (something not isuzu). Does any one have a how to or pictures of what has to be removed to take out the starter and put in a new one. Also, how hard would this job be and what is the average price of a starter?

[amigo-2k]

Clean up your batter connections first.

[Gizmo42]

I bought an Autolite starter from checkers. They've come down in price since I bought mine.

They are a real pain to do on 4wd models. You have to drop the exhaust on the drivers side to get it out (the down tube/cat converter pipe between the exhaust manifold and y-pipe) . I spend 7 hours over 2 days doing mine because the exhaust flange bolts between the cat converter and the y-pipe were rusted solid . On the 2nd day I ended up brining home my sawzall and cutting the heads off the bolts. I just took it loose which gave me enough room to sneek the starter by.

Once the exhaust is out of the way there is just enough room to squeeze the starter out between the frame and bell housing once you get it positioned right.

I now have 2 clamps holding my exhaust flange together where I cut the bolt heads off, works good enough.

[mentalcase]

I just cleaned the battery terminals and no change. Now the car will not start on the first turn of the key. I have to turn it once then quickly turn it again to get it to start. This is becoming a real pain. I was just about to put the car in the paper too. Any way i think changing the starter might be a little too difficult for me. Unless any one has any pics, what prices should i be looking for from a mechanic?

[Cat Fuzz]

Definatly a bad starter. The solonoid contacts wear unevenly. If you wanted to go cheap, see if you can find a solonoid repair kit. You can remove the starter, replace the contacts and you'd be in good shape. Denso starters are famous for this type of failure.

[mentalcase]

So its the starter. How much am i looking at for a repair. I wonder if i can actually do it my self. Im just worried about removing the exhuast. Is it an easy job?

[mentalcase]

I finally had the starter replaced on tuesday. The car almost would not start sunday night. The mechanic i took it to only charged me 250. Not a bad deal i think.

[highlandlake]

I think you did OK for $250. Seems the mechanics today charge $200 just to open the toolbox - then it goes up from there. 'Fuel Saving Tune-ups' cost darn close to $300 (plugs, wires, filters, labor) at the tire shop near where I work. And there is a steady stream of people getting the work done there so they aren't out of line. So I imagine a starter job would cost that much anyway. Maybe more. $250 sounds better already. Tom

[surferfletch]

That's a good price for the 4x4.

[Ramblin Fever]

$250 is excellent cost.

My starter alone cost $210

[Gizmo42]

I would have gladly paid $250 to have mine done after the struggle I went through . Now that my exhaust is easier to take apart I should be able to do it in under 3 hrs next time

So far that has been the only time I missed my mitsu pickup, less then 20 minutes to change the starter. Also the timing belt only took 1/2 hr start to finish