Do you want to fix or replace your vehicle started and is asking yourself, where is the Starter located in my car? If that is you, you have come to the right place.
This article answers some questions about your starter motor, such as where is the Starter located, a step-by-step guide to locating the Starter in your specific vehicle model, some starter problems and how to fix them, and so much more.
Let’s get started!
Where Is the Starter Located?
The Starter is located on the driver’s side of a vehicle between the transmission and the vehicle’s engine, beneath the left mound of cylinders. It is attached to the mounting plates and is held by a few bolts. It also has two wires running to it.
Starter enables your car engine to start and function properly. It is a minor device that gets powered by the vehicle’s battery. if a starter is bad, the car won’t start.
Replacing a starter motor is not something you often do because it is a reliable component. Unlike other parts of the vehicle, it might only require a replacement once throughout its lifespan.
Also Read: How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter (9 Fast Ways)
How to Locate the Starter on a Car
To locate your vehicle’s Starter, carefully follow the steps outlined below;
Step 1
Open your vehicle’s hood and have someone switch on the ignition key. Observe and check for any clicking sound that comes right under the hood. Close to the engine, search for a bolted cylindrical part.
You might see two hex bolts that secure the Starter; on other occasions, they may be more. Once this side has been found with less hunting, you have found the Starter.
Step 2
Find the positive terminal of your vehicle battery. The terminal has a red cable that is fastened to it. You might find a plastic cover suppressed to it, especially if the vehicle is a new model.
Step 3
Continue following the cable until it has reached the connecting post. This post is a component of the Starter.
Just like the Starter, It has so many wires that go to other engines’ electrical systems, and it is found at the edge of the cylinder.
The cable runs under some compartment like the air intake manifold, making observation difficult.
Search for two cylindrical structures, not the same size, one wider than the other, making up the Starter. Take note; one of the cylinders is the solenoid while the other is the Starter itself.
How to Locate the Starter Solenoid
A starter solenoid is responsible for the emission of electrical power into the Starter. Whenever the ignition is turned, the Starter cranks the vehicle. To locate the solenoid, you must know the location of the Starter.
A defective ignition system that requires troubleshooting can cause a bad solenoid, and replacing the bad solenoid implies that the Starter has to be removed. The vehicle has to be raised to allow the Starter to be accessed.
Step 1
Ensure your vehicle is placed on a leveled ground and the brakes properly set. Restrain the wheels from rolling by making use of a wedging chock.
Step 2
Get the hood open so that you can inspect the engine system. The positive signal from the battery should be disconnected, then using a socket wrench, release the cable out of the terminal.
Step 3
Place a jack underneath the front cross member and lift your vehicle from the front. The vehicle should be raised high so that two jack stands can be slid under the vehicle’s frame rails. Now bring the vehicle down, so it rests on the stand.
Step 4
Continue following the positive cable until it connects to a connecting post. Usually, the cable at the positive terminal is fixed to the starter solenoid, positioned on the Starter.
The vehicle model and starter type determine whether the solenoid stays at the top on the rear of the Starter. The cable at the positive terminal often stays connected with the Starter.
To locate the solenoid, you must know the location of the Starter. A starter motor is mostly found on the driver’s position between the transmission and the vehicle engine, beneath the left mound of cylinders.
It is attached to the mounting plates and is held by a few bolts. It also has two wires running to it. The solenoid is close to the Starter.
Also Read: Car Stutters When Starting (How To Fix)
Where Is the Starter Located on Various Vehicle Models?
The following are where you can find a starter in various vehicle models
Where is the Starter Located in a Ford Taurus?
The starter motor is a hard cylinder approximately 5-7 inches long and 3 inches in diameter. It has a little wiring harness that secures the engine from the end and three bolts.
In cases where locating the Starter seems abortive, observe the thick red cable that runs from the battery positive terminal underneath the engine. The starter motor is attached to the opposite side.
On Older Ford Taurus (from first down to the third generations), the starters are found behind the engine, close to the firewall.
From the fourth generation to the newer Taurus, the Starter is found at the front side of the engine, close to the radiator.
In recent generation vehicles, the Starter is suppressed behind a plastic splash shield that must be removed.
Where Is the Starter Located on a Honda Civic?
Pop the hood of your vehicle and stand in front. A large uncovered battery sits high in the engine part.
Two terminals feed right out of the car battery; a red and black terminal. With your fingers, get hold of the black terminal wire.
The black terminal wire goes on beneath the engine, stopping first at the starter motor. You may need a stand jack and a flashlight.
Raising the vehicle from the front will grant you access to the location of the Starter, which is underneath the engine.
The starter motor connects directly to the terminal wire of the negative battery. The starter motor is a hard cylinder about 6 inches in length, attaching the flywheel and transmitting a charge from the battery.
Where Is the Starter Located on a Chrysler Cirrus?
2.4L Cirrus Starter Location
The Starter is located under the TCM for a Cirrus having a 2.4-liter engine. This TCM is a metal box close to the front of the engine part at the driver side, at the left plastic housing, tagged “Fuse Access.”
If you want to remove the Starter, unbolt the TCM so you can have access to the top and separate the air inlet resonator. An extra bolt attaches the Starter and transaxle and can only be inspected from below.
2.5L Cirrus Starter Location
A Chrysler Cirrus having a 2.5-liter engine has the Starter close to the oil filter and should be inspected from below. It is suspended to the transaxle with three clips.
To access and get the Starter removed, you must take away the oil filter and remove the bolts that hold the exhaust pipe and manifold together.
What Is a Starter?
A starter is a minor device powered by the vehicle’s battery. It enables your car engine to function and is easygoing. The starter relay stays in between the starter motor and the battery, sending power. If both the starter relay and battery are not in good working condition, your vehicle won’t start and would require a tow.
What Are Common Bad Starter Symptoms?
1. A Clicking Sound
An indication of a faulty starter is a clicking sound whenever the ignition key is switched on or the start button is pushed.
Still, even without making such a sound, the Starter can die, or at most make its threatening death known with a grinding or rolling noise- pay attention!
2. Your Lights Are On, but the Car Won’t Start.
Starting up the engine alone and noticing a light up in the dashboard, without the engine powering up, your Starter may be faulty.
3. Your Engine Won’t Crank.
If your engine won’t crank, it is a sign that the Starter is bad. Technician assistance is very much necessary at this stage, and visiting an auto repair shop is recommended.
It’s either a jumpstart or a technician to get your vehicle all fired up; anything other than this is a waste of time and resources.
4. Smoke Is Coming From Your Car.
Your car’s engine system includes the Starter, and it’s liable to short circuits and blown fuses. Constant attempt to enable the car to start leads to overheating the Starter, causing electrical problems and creating smoke simultaneously.
Do not turn the key so hard; call for assistance if you notice or perceive smoke.
5. Oil Has Soaked the Starter.
For RWD, the Starter is located beneath the exhaust manifold on the vehicle’s passenger side. But for FWD, the Starter is found on the side of the driver, beneath the exhaust manifold, or above the transmission.
You can still see them underneath the intake manifold for some vehicles. When the hood of your vehicle is opened, and you notice a drenched starter, your faulty Starter can be the cause of an oil spill.
In the first instance, this problem is minor but, with time, can escalate into a more costly problem. Try not to overlook oil spills to prevent further starter problems.
What Causes Starter Problems?
Here is a list of problems that can result in a faulty starter:
- Loose connection all over the Starter
- Shabby or destroyed connecting cables at the Starter
- Decayed battery
- worn-out starter system components
- Oil spills.
- faulty fuse or relay
How To Fix Car Starter?
In case you tried starting and also jumpstarting your vehicle to no avail, you might want to try any one of these troubleshooting recommendations:
1. Look Under the Hood.
Inspect the battery, connecting cables to make sure everything is operating normally. Your Starter may not be the cause of the problem in your car, a faulty cable or dead battery could be.
2. Tap the Starter.
Gently tap the Starter for some minutes using a hard object; make sure you don’t hit recklessly. Sometimes, tapping on it gently can get it all working again since the electrical parts would be tapped back in contact with one another.
Remember how you have to bang a little sometimes on one side of a wonky Tv just so the picture is brought back to focus? It’s the same for this.
This method only works for a while, not permanently – giving you some time to check for a mechanic.
3. Adjust the Transmission.
Assuming you have the automatic transmission at the park setting of your car, yet the car refuses to start.
If this is a challenge, try starting your car in neutral, if it complies, then a technical glitch is responsible for the car not to start while in a park setting, just like a bad neutral switch.
5. Check the Fuel Gauge.
This is not an interesting question but seriously, do you have an empty gas tank? This could be the reason for your car not being able to start.
Tapping the Starter most times can get a bad starter all working. Jump starting too can bring your car in motion, at least for a while, still, you will need the help of a technician to sort the problem.
In cases where tapping or jumpstarting fails, the Starter has to be repaired or even replaced.
Check out this video for tips on how to fix a car starter
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Starter?
How Much a Starter Replacement Costs. For a starter, the cost of the rebuild parts ranges between $50 – $350. An entirely new starter range from $80 to $350. Needing assistance from your mechanic to get your Starter replaced will have you pay between $150 and over $1,100.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where the Stater Is Located
Where Is My Car Starter Located?
Can I Replace My Starter Myself?
Can You Jumpstart a Car With a Bad Starter?
Is It My Starter or My Battery?
Why Is My Car Not Starting but the Battery Isn’t Dead?
How Long Can You Go With a Bad Starter?
What Sound Does a Bad Starter Make?
How Long Does It Take To Replace a Car Starter?
Can the Car Starter Be Repaired?
Scott Greene
Scott Greene is a seasoned automotive technician for over 5 years and has been deep into advanced automotive diagnostics for a couple of years. He Loves writing about Automotive Diagnostics and Repair, Trouble codes, Buyer guides for various car parts and accessories, and lots more.