jeffsaidso

Ok guys - any clue as to what is smoking? I’m not there but will drive to hopefully fix this for my daughter so I’m looking for what to take with me.

jeffsaidso

I should add that the engine is not trying to start - could be totally unrelated as these cars are prone to battery issues. But jumping it off was not successful (I was not there so I can't guarantee it was jumped correctly).

Altair

Hi!

the starter is located where the finger pointed to, below the intercooler, follow cable from battery to find the connection.
It is a part that could smoke and not start at same time. Boosting the wrong way would have blown the main fuse ~100A and wont start either, but no smoke (there is a lower rated fuse 85 iirc, that could be swapped if need be, powers the sound system).
Get a set of sockets with an extension say 6-8".
replaced mine, less than an hour, used starter ~C$60, there are some threads discussing the DIY.

good luck

jeffsaidso

Great info. My only option locally is a rebuilt Autozone starter so it will have to do.
My guess is they just have jumped it correctly since it still smokes. I’ll know tomorrow when I get there.

60 mins is what I’d like to do. Did you remove it from the top by removing the fan for the radiator etc. or did you go in from the bottom? Just trying to know if I need to bring the floor jack or not.


thanks again!

Altair

Through the top, no jacking required.
Very important, SHORT HANDLE works much better, especially with a ratcheting head. Use a large cardboard to protect radiator in any case.
Hardest work was disconnecting the rest of harness branch past the starter towards the passenger side.

there is a bracket supporting the intake manifold, for some reason one of its bolts didn't want to go back in, didn't force it, so it's still sticking out.

Make sure fan gets plugged back after replacing it.

Good luck!

DaIll1

Releasing the factory installed smoke of an electrical device is never a good thing.

jeffsaidso

Thanks so much Altair - I was WAY overprepared for this job (too many tools). It took me about 90 mins - I spent the most time cutting the brackets off the fan. That was frustrating and slow, but everything else was easy. Way too easy to pay someone, thats for sure. Thanks for the assist. For the first time since we've owned that car, it doesn;t sound weak when starting.

Altair

I am pretty sure better to be overprepared and not need all too many tools, than vice-versa.

I did not need to cut anything, fan had previously come out doing the radiator replacement, was only a 5' job: undo the top hookups, unplug and slide out. So, do you want to talk about it?

good job, hope your daughter appreciated the effort and enjoys the car more! My son once gone to University apologized to me for "not paying attention" to what&when I was doing occasionally to the car: upon finding out some dealer pricing for oil changes and maintenance, and realizing how expensive a car can be without proper knowledge and tools, on his part time income, after all other expenses! Wonder how much would be at a dealer to replace a starter

cheers

jeffsaidso

Not just the dealer pricing, but also having it towed 20 miles from where she lives to anything that resembles a town! She did replace brakes with me in HS and her first car was a stick, so she has some bragging rights over a lot of boys.