Offroad-Express

Hi Guys,

I've got a '91 V6 Manual petrol Terrano that has had starting problems the day after visiting the local garage to get a steering rod changed.

When I first had problems I looked at the starter motor area and found a shiny new bolt on the solenoid, which said to suspicious old me they had problems in the garage. I thought that maybe I was being paranoid, and they didnt mention it, so I gave them the benefit of the doubt, didnt say anything and got them to change the brushes in the starter motor. Terrano worked for a day and stopped again. So I guess its more likely it is the solenoid after all.

A neighbour has suggested that maybe the solenoid got arced if they didnt remove the battery leads when doing the steering rod changed. Does that sound right? Am I being paranoid, or do you think the garage has stuffed up here?

I dont particularly like being taken for a ride, so may have a go at replacing the solenoid myself. But to change the solenoid, I have to remove the starter motor and replace the solenoid. Is that a big job - a big first job that is for a newbie Terrano owner? It looks very hard to get at, but is there anything I should be aware of when taking off the starter motor?

I have done various other jobs on other cars I have had, but nothing to do with the starter motor.

Any advice is really, really welcome!

Cheers

Gay

Yes starter motors can be very hard to get at for the un-initiated. I battled away (without outside help or guidance) on my previous vehicle with spanners. One whole day just to put one bolt back in!!! I kid you not. and the blooded knuckles and empty beer box to prove it.

But if you really want to get your starter motor out easy as pie you need:

powerbar (1/2 inch drive is what I use)
extension bars, to make an extension at least two feet long. (in 1/2 inch or 3/8 depending on your powerbar)
universal joint adapter (I have a 1/2 inch and a 3/8 )
socket to fit the bolt/nut on the starter/ bellhousing
spanner to fit the bolt/nut on the starter/ bellhousing.

It's all pretty simple really, click as many extensions as required on to the power bar (I normally end up laying down by the transfer case), next click a universal adapter on the end of the extensions, then click your socket on that. lay down by the transfer, slide the whole setup up to the back of the bellhousing (you may need a mate to get the socket to slip onto the nut/bolt).......then simply undo it.if it is a bolt and nut setup put the spanner on the bolt/nut to "lock it up" while you get on the other end of it with your power bar/extension/wobbly setup.

It really is a piece of cake once you know the method. I can swap the starter motor in my truck in half an hour or less no worrys.

If you don't have a power bar or extensions etc. I suggest you go to super cheap auto. They are the cheapest I have found

good luck

Yes, I can imagine it took that long - my hands are fairly small and they struggle to get anywhere near it. But the mechanics manage to, so it must be possible!

Crikey, a 2 foot extension... looks like I would need some extras and a universal joint as mines had it. I think the sensible thing to do is to get the mechanic to do this job and maybe tackle something smaller to get my confidence up.

Thanks

Gay

Give it a try you have nothing to loose by doing it yourself if anything you will save yourself a few hundres bucks n that = a lot of gas huh ?