How to Replace a 91 Toyota 3.0 Starter

Your 1991 Toyota needs a starter motor in proper condition to produce the high torque demanded by its 3.0L engine model. A faulty starter motor can slow-crank the engine, overheat the starter cables, become noisy or fail to start the engine. The starter is readily accessible through the underside of the engine compartment, which allows you to replace it at home using a few simple tools. However, make sure the motor is properly mounted to prevent damage to other components.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Wrench set
• Ratchet
• Socket set
• Floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• 2 chocks
• Ratchet extension
• Safety goggles
• Torque wrench

1. Removing the Starter Motor

   • 1

     Park your Toyota on a level surface and make sure the engine is cold.

   • 2

     Disconnect the ground (black) battery cable. Use a backup wrench to hold the bolt on the cable and use another wrench or ratchet and socket to loosen the bolt-retaining nut. Then pull the terminal off the battery post. If the terminal seems hard to remove, use a battery-terminal puller.

   • 3

     Raise the front of your Toyota with a floor jack and place 2 jack stands under the frame, on each side, for support.

   • 4

     Chock the rear wheels.

   • 5

     Remove the engine splash shield from under the engine, if the car is equipped with one, using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

   • 6

     Put on your safety goggles and crawl under the engine and locate the starter motor to one side of the engine's rear where it connects with the transmission.

   • 7

     Unplug the electrical connector from the solenoid, on top of the starter, by hand.

   • 8

     Unfasten the retaining nut holding the battery cable to the starter using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

   • 9

     Unfasten the two mounting bolts holding the starter motor to the transmission bell housing. Use the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

   • 10

     Remove the starter motor from the engine.

   Installing the New Starter Motor

   • 1

     Position the new starter motor in place and make sure the starter drive teeth properly mesh with the teeth on the flywheel inside the transmission bell housing and do not jam. The starter mating surface should seat completely flat against the mating surface on the bell housing.

   • 2

     Start the two mounting bolts by hand to prevent stripping the threads.

   • 3

     Tighten the two starter mounting bolts to 29-ft-lbs. (39 Nm) using a torque wrench.

   • 4

     Install the battery cable on the starter solenoid stud bolt and the retaining nut. Tighten the nut with the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

   • 5

     Plug the electrical connector to the solenoid.

   • 6

     Replace the engine splash shield, if applicable, using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.

   • 7

     Lower your Toyota using the floor jack.

   • 8

     Connect the ground (black) battery cable using the wrench and ratchet and socket.

   • 9

     Start the engine, make sure the starter operates properly and then turn off the engine.