Starter removal

[WWhunter]

Okay guys, I'm screwed. I recently broke my leg and now the starter went out in my 88 festiva. I've got no way to get to the library to get a repair manual since my other car is Manual tranny and "no can do" with a broken leg.
So, What is the easiest way to get the starter out in this Festi? Haven't had it long and I did replace the clutch assy when I bought it and from what I remember the starter was a bugger to get at.
Any advice?
WW

[25Horseplay]

Where are you located? Maybe there is a FF.com member that could lend a hand!

[WWhunter]

Hawaii. 8)

[packrat427]

:director: COLLEGEBOI :director: :help: :help: :santa:

[Pu241]

COLLEGEBOI

OK time to see what you made of!
Member here needs help and your the only other active member in HI!
scanned images/procedures from the manuals can be sent!

[jglutz]

Simple... Send me the car...You can mail the car 3rd class to save money...may take alittle longer.

No...Get a starter and solenoid while your at it...i'm not sure if they come as one...mine is original...never had to change it.
I can e-mail picts from the hanyes or ford manual or better yet...have someone who can turn a wrench call and i will talk them thru it...without disruption...i could do it in less than 15 minutes. Let me know.

[stefan]

very easy... iirc 2 12mm bolts into the block and 1 or 2 10mm holding down a bracket.

[gdawgs]

Send me an airline ticket, and I'll come and do it for free!

[Safety Guy]

I gather this is an automatic? The starter is up behind the block near the firewall. It really isn't that hard to do. You'll need plenty of socket extensions to make the job easier, and you'll need to jack up the front end so you can get under it to remove the starter.

I've done it several times and got rather quick about it. Swapped starters in under an hour.

Karl

[jglutz]

I gather this is an automatic? The starter is up behind the block near the firewall. It really isn't that hard to do. You'll need plenty of socket extensions to make the job easier, and you'll need to jack up the front end so you can get under it to remove the starter.

I've done it several times and got rather quick about it. Swapped starters in under an hour.

Karl

collgeboi said he changed a clutch??????

[WWhunter]

It's a manual tranny. It just seems that when I looked at it several months ago it was going to be a bugger to get out.
I had to leave for several months and just got home a couple of days ago...the starter went out when my wife was driving it. That's why I was asking the questions on the removal...I wasn't near the car at the time and couldn't remember if it was going to be a PITA to get out.
Guess I'll try and tackle it today.

[roycehof]

On the manual transmissions it is a snap. Remove the battery terminal first. Then remove the wires on the starter (Big battery wire and a small solenoid wire). There are two bolts to the transmission "bell housing" - I think they are 14mm and two bolts on the bracket at the back of the starter. Out she comes. Then place the bracket on the new starter. then install the new starter in the car - A quick word of advise use a 6 inch extension to get to that bolt that hides under the starter solenoid. Should not take you more than a half hour including a quick beer break.
NOW - With all that said, these starters are pretty robust. so make sure that you are getting voltage to the starter before you start condemning the starter. Have somebody turn the key and make sure you get 12 volts to the solenoid lead. Also makes sure the battery terminals are free of corrosion. The big lead going to the starter is just the Battery connection, but what the heck, make sure that you are getting voltage there also and it is free of corrosion and makes intimate contact to the starter. Good Luck and Hope you get well soon. No surfing the waves for you during the Holidays
- Aloha.

[WWhunter]

Got the starter out...piece of cake. Took a whooping 10 minutes!!
I believe its the selonoid that is shot. The engine would start to turn over but as soon as it starts turning the starter kicks out.
I have called all over this friggin Island and NO-ONE sells just a selonoid. And of course the cheapest starter I can get is $100 at a rebuild place. They'll rebuild mine while I wait. All they will do is replace the selonoid and bendix and rape me of $100.

[roycehof]

Yep, By what you are describing, I would replace the solenoid, the bendix drive and the brushes and call it a day. Oh yeah - a little "Lubri-plate" or white lithium grease on the bearings (and other moving parts) is always a good thing. But since you have gotten this far it is now time for that beer break. I imagine it is tough to push start the car with that leg, but I remember in college I drove a car for months with no starter. Park it uphill, got itt rolling and popped the clutch, if I was on level ground pushed it and then jump in and popped the clutch. It was the occasional pushing up a hill that inspired me to finally replace it. Amazing how much dis-comfort you live with when you have no money - LOL!
Good Luck and Best Wishes in the New Year.

[festivaWES]

When you take out the starter you'll have to remove the bracket that holds the starter to the trans because the clutch cable is a bit in the way. But anyways 2 14mm, 2 12mm, and 2 10mm, plus the connections of the starter. I changed one out to days ago in less than 15 minutes. Anyways i was wondering how a broken leg hinders your ability to remove a starter with your hands. Not unless you like to wrench with your feet then thats a different story.