How to Replace a Starter Solenoid

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Almost everyone who drives has had the experience of getting into a car, turning the key and having nothing happen. It can be frustrating, but there are a few things to check that can narrow down the problem to either a dead battery or a faulty starter solenoid. All but the most inept shade-tree mechanic can replace a battery, but it takes a little more thought and work to replace a starter solenoid. The following steps will show you how to do this yourself and how to avoid a potentially expensive trip to the car mechanic.

Steps

1. 1
   Place the car where you can work on it. If you can’t easily access the starter from above, put the car on jack stands or ramps.
   
   

   
   
2. 2
   Remove the key from the ignition, or put it in the “off” position.
   
   
3. 3
   Disconnect the car battery and the starter. If necessary, you may want to note and label all the wires as you remove them.
   
   
4. 4
   Detach the starter from its mounting. Most commonly, 2 to 3 bolts hold the starter to its bracket. If there is extra mounting hardware, like washers or shims, note and label the location of each piece, so you can properly reinstall the starter when you’re finished.
   
   
5. 5
   Remove the starter from the car. If it’s a tight squeeze, and it often is, remove the support bracket (if there is one) before you get the starter out of the engine bay. Depending on your car, you may have to disconnect or remove adjacent parts before you can get the starter out. Plan ahead and determine the easiest route out of the engine compartment.
   
   
6. 6
   Put the starter on your work surface and remove the support bracket, if you haven’t already done so.
   
   
7. 7
   Separate the field coil strap, which is the braided wire, from the solenoid terminal.
   
   
8. 8
   Loosen and remove all screws and mounting bolts from the solenoid, noting and labeling locations as you go.
   
   
9. 9
   Take the solenoid from the starter. Work slowly and be careful as you do so as starter components. There may be exposed or loose parts such as the spring and plunger. Note the location of the plunger, spring and any special steps you have to take, so you can repeat them in reverse when installing your new solenoid.
   
   
10. 10
    Attach the new solenoid to the starter. As mentioned above, take care that the plunger and spring interact with the solenoid as before. Make sure that you situated the spring correctly and that the plunger and starter shift lever interact as before.
    
    
11. 11
    Reattach the field coil strap and any brackets and reinstall the starter in the car. Then reattach all cables and wires to the starter in their previous locations by referring to your notes, labels or memory.
    
    
12. 12
    Reconnect your battery to your starter.

    
    

Tips

• Consider replacing the entire starter rather than just the starter solenoid. It won’t cost much more, and mechanics often recommend it as the parts work so closely together.
• Save your old solenoid and return it to the auto parts store where you bought the new one in order to get your core charge back.

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