Replacing starter

[BuiltJeepZJ]

So I need to replace the starter in my century. Whats the best way to go about doing this? Any tips/tricks on the install? Where is it located? Thanks!

 

[thejmfc]

I'll venture a guess, since a 3.3 is similar to a 3.8. If it's in the same place, it's on the front side of the engine, near the bottom. Right next to/above the oil pan. Tips tricks? Remove the old one. Install the new one. Pay close attention to any shims that may be stuck to the engine or starter, since you'll probably need to use them again with the new one. Starters are pretty straight forward. Good luck. Let us know how it goes/if it takes care of the problem.

 

[BuiltJeepZJ]

thanks. I've never worked on these side mounted engines so its a little different. I will be swapping it out tomorrow afternoon and I may do a little writeup on it just for kicks.

 

[thejmfc]

It should be about the same deal as a jeep or anything else, just a bit tighter to get to them sometimes, on these transverse mounted engines. There may be a plastic shield or something in the way too...

 

[BuiltJeepZJ]

Got her all swapped out. There is a small 15mm screw holding on a black plastic splashguard. After that is removed there are 2 5/8" bolts holding the starter in place, a 5/8" nut holding the electrical connections, and a 3/16" nut to ground the alternator. It went fairly smoothly, the starter definatley was the cause of my loud noises. Thanks for the help.

 

[thejmfc]

Glad that fixed it for you. Easier to replace a starter than a crank pulley, in my opinion.

And I assume you did the swap with the engine off, right? 😉

 

[BuiltJeepZJ]

Glad that fixed it for you. Easier to replace a starter than a crank pulley, in my opinion.

And I assume you did the swap with the engine off, right? 😉

actually as soon as I pulled the alt. i started it by hand. i have serious skills. lol.

The problem on the alternator was the ring gear that slides around on the shaft that in turn kick starts the crank, was sliding around on the shaft. Basically the ring gear was getting kicked around by the crank continuously. This one has a lifetime warranty so I'm in the clear on it now.

 

[thejmfc]

You started it by hand? How'd you do that, exactly? (hey, could come in handy some day)