I have heard a grinding noise when I start my car (96 GLE) and I was told by a mechanic that my starter is going bad. Should I buy a new or used starter? Is there a difference in types of starters?

 

well ! I just replaced my starter this morning


i suggest you do it all yourself it was easy.. BUT.. very annoying

last night i took all the stuff out of the way ..

batter, air intake... was not much to keep track of so it was all good

today I replaced the starter (two bolts plus a nut for the wire) and put everything back

took me 4 hours over all.. cause i like to take my time.. and i have a spare car anyway.

it cost me 200 at AutoZone, but they give me 45 dollars back when i return the old one

don't forget to hook up all the hoses back onto your intake system as your car will begin to stall out if you don't (i made this mistake)

and be carefull you don't get any cuts... I took my time and everything was just fine

 

Just get a remanufactured starter from Kragen. Mine cost $130, and it starts better than the OEM starter. Took several hours to replace because I tried to regrease the old one (without success), but if you have a good breaker bar and some sockets, you can replace it yourself. Be warned, those bolts which hold it to the engine block are on VERY VERY VERY tight. I estimate over 100 lb/ft (way overspec).

 

They're about 80 ft/lb actually ... but close enough.

And yes, without a breaker bar, you'll have a hell of a time tring to get the bolts off.

I actually got my remanufactured starter from the dealership for $175. And about 4 fours later, car started fine. Much cheaper than the $400 the dealer quoted me to change the starter.

 

I bought one from a junkyard for $35. It was a gamble, but it has performed flawlessly for over 6 months now. Starters are so easy to replace I don't mind if I only get a couple of years of life out of it, at that price.

 

Thats what I meant by overspec. I had to use my big honkin' torque wrench to get those starter bolts. Specs is 80lbs, but I had to torque wrench set over 100 to get that bolt out.

 

I have starter for sale, see my website

 

I just got my new starter from a companu called Linney Auto Electric that sells them on ebay.
Cost $129 and no core charge......I also got the updated stronger 10 tooth 97+ version. Make sure when you ask for one at the parts counter you ask for the 97+ year model.
95-some 96 had the weaker 8 tooth model

 

You may want to try re-greasing the starter gears. See http://www.motorvate.ca/ the "starter noise fix." My starter was also making griding noises but I did that fix and they have never returned. Replacing the starter is simple, you should have no problems. I get to do this tomm when I remove it so I can get the tranny off the car to install my new ACT clutch. wooo!

Ian

 

i had my starter replaced by a local (reputable) nissan repair shop and it cost me $350 to have an OEM starter installed. ouch!!

i would've done it myself had i known that's all it was, but i was in a pinch and had no choice.

 

damn, i must be a magician. i didn't use a breaker bar and it took me 45 minutes and $85 for a remanufactured one from autozone.....
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/starter.html


Trevor