i had my starter go out on me and i was just mad figured everything else on this car was a pain to replace in one way or another but surprisingly i was shocked the starter is right in front. i never really payed attention to it, never had a reason to. but i was shocked on how easy and accessible it was to get to. i just thought I'd say thanks for making at least one repair a simple one.

and in case anyone is asking "sure it was the starter?" YES! checked all the connections battery is a yellow top optima and it had plenty of power. trust me it threw lots of sparks when i grounded it out by accident quick note always take your time and make sure you disconnect the battery!!! i can hear the relay engaging but not the starter but when i smacked it a couple of times with a wrench it turned right over and the next morning same thing so it narrowed it down real quick! got lucky found a used one in a local yard for $50 now it turns over without a hitch!

Just thought i'd share!

 

there's got to be some parts that come off first

 

No the starter is easy. There's a couple of wires to the battery that have a quick disconnect, one bolt and one nut later and the starter is out. I had a problem with mine and thought I'd just inspect it and found I could pull it and replace it in an hour or two, and that included going down to Shucks Auto and finding, to my complete surprise, that they had one in stock (if you want a can of oil, they have to get it from the warehouse these days). Changing this starter is as easy as changing a light bulb (kinda).

 

Informal Poll:

So what's simpler?
Removing the bottom part of the rear seat or the starter

Now what takes less time?
Removing the bottom part of the rear seat or the starter

 

Seat, seat. Starter is easy but it requires tools.

 

starter, I can use power tools.
seat required physical exertion

 

+1 I hit my head so hard pulling up on the seat I knew I would be bleeding...I wasnt but gd it felt like it was split in half.

 

i smacked my head with a crowbar the other day removing a 5 speed tranny from a 92 parts car. probably should have had stitches.

 

ooooooh yeah that would be a b1tch. Plus those head injuries heal fast, but not before dumping a ton of blood first.

 

i agree starter! I'm a big guy and it's kinda a pain getting in the back seat and yanking the rear seat out

 

you're right, it's only been a couple days and it's already closed up and healing surprisingly fast. and yeah, it bled like a son of a b. i'm actually thankful for it, it's good it didn't snap back and gouge my eye instead. at the very least i would have ended up with one of those eyeball hemmorages.

heh, i can use this smiley quite literally

 

should also give props to the alternator location, and the oil filter. I'm sure everyone's run across that one car that has the most rediculous oil filter location at some point. (all work and no play makes Jon a very dull boy)

 

oil filter location on VG is not so cool - easy to get to - yes

pain in the **** to remove w/o spilling the contents of said oil filter all over - no

 

I've got a 97 Integra and the oil filter is on the back of the block, facing the firewall, on top, above the steering rack. I've never actually seen it in situ. All I can do is feel it up there. You just resign yourself to jacking up the car, having the old oil dribble down your arm and spin the new one on blind.

 

remove VG oil filter w/o spillage - hard
doing the same thing on a 94 Accord - freaking hard

 

i got one for you all 1997 ford ranger tension releave bolt facing the block big pain in the *** cuz the alternator is right next to it and the block on the other side fucck dat chit i gave up. My cousin can pay someone to do that for him he should be happy i bought that dammn expensive belt fords suck one belt for the whole alternator powersteering and cooling fan. belt cost 32 dollars thank you ford for making such peices of chit cars.Also my homies 1996 nissan sentra oil filter is facing the firewall and u have to jack the car up and put ur arm all the way up in there to get it off

 

try the # 6 plug on a 92 ford explorer that was fun, its between the manifold and the wheel well that was fun... NOT!. or a 84 olds calais and the only way to take off the oil filer was to jack up the passengers side and take the wheel of and get it threw the wheel well

 

rear plugs on a 4th gen camaro

 

it's funny how this thread has turned into listing of hard fixes.

Guess we all have to vent somewhere

 

Yeah I had a Pontiac 6000, 80's jalopy extrodinaire, where you had to take a wheel off to get to the filter, and the first time I changed it, it was too tight and you couldn't fit a wrench on it so I had to pull the ol' screwdriver through the filter trick, quite a mess indeed

 

Yikes! scanning down to look at pictures, didn't expect to see a close up of war wounds U be sure and get some more dirt and crud in there, dude, it'll heal better... reminds me of when I crawled underneath my car to wire brush the rusty manifold pipe, w/o eye goggles. Ugh that can sting...

 

what do you mean a little rust in the eye never hurt none... yeah i have made that mistake too kinda stings for a while!

 

rusty eyes doesn't sound good. i was leaning accross the left side of my car yesterday hand turning the plenum bolts and ended up rubbing an open cut on my left forearm against the battery which is all dusty from corrosion. made for a nice stinging/burning sensation. i think i inhaled a little bit too. head's already 80% healed btw.

 

A plastic grocery bag works wonders(just make sure there's no holes in it), just surround the whole oil filter with it and unscrew it, virtually no oil spilled.