How to Diagnose and Replace a Starter

1. Hi, Chris, thank you for the great content. I wish I could always drive the same car as you do. By so, I can watch all the exact steps of doing all the work. In case many are using various cars. Then is there any place we can download or buy or find the soft copy of engine bay diagram? Maintanance steps guide. Like if we want to reach starter of a certain car type, then what are the list of the steps, and bolts? Do we have such soft copy resources online?
   I'd feel much more comfortable to do this after watching your instruction and read the steps, diagrams, bolts types and size of my own car type.

2. I've got a 98 ranger 4×4. But I'll check all the connectors first. No garage or pavement though.

3. easily the best car repair video i’ve ever seen. the under-the-hood camera angles were wild.

4. At 0:14 is that the Zelda secret discovery chime??

5. You provide great content
   Thank you, engineer

6. I'm not watching because I don't know how to do this. I'm watching because it's ChrisFix and it's just fun to watch

7. I just got a 2001 Ford Ranger from my friend's family after it sat for 4 years and have been slowly working on fixing all the little issues it has. It's in surprisingly great condition even after 273k miles, and only has small things here and there, worst issue is that the front crankshaft seal is slightly cracked. Since I started driving it, I've had a few moments where I would get a no crank/no start, and I watch so many videos talking about it and none were helpful. Finally, I decided to just buy a new starter, and not 15 minutes after I got home from Autozone, I found your video. Turns out the issue was the neutral safety switch, something I had not seen a single other video mention. I just got back from returning the starter I bought earlier and am glad to have that money back. Thank you so much Chris from 7 years ago, you saved me a lot of time and money. I'm 26 in a week and am very ignorant about vehicles, trying to learn as I go, and I will definitely be checking if you have a video on any issue I might have in the future.

8. Thanks for the very informative video.

9. This was a very good video.

10. Top intel. thank you so much

11. But if you'd check with the multimeter directly on the starter's connectors to see if it gets enough voltage wouldn't be this a easier way?

12. I really need some help. I've already replaced the battery and the starter and the fuses and relays are good and the alternator is good. I'm getting one click and it tries to turn just a little bit and stops. I am lost.

13. Damn, i didn't expect only 20ft lbs for bolts that big and thick

14. Camera angles were the cleanest I’ve ever soon 😮‍💨 killer work! Idk if this is my problem still but thanks from the future lol

15. hey Chris if my starter is smoking out the solenoid do you think its bad

16. And yet again, it's Chris to the rescue. Just imagine if there was someone as reliable, conscientious and clear on the web for all our needs. Life would be too easy 🙂 THANK YOU. Again.

17. As if that's enough thread locker

18. Starter relay ignition and full starter

19. You was doing good until you went to AutoZone and got a starter. That is the worst place to purchase a starter AutoZone advance auto all of those side part places you have to go to the dealership or rebuild it yourself if you want a quality starter. AutoZone and advanced auto those side joints will have you stranded on side the road in the next 5 to 6 months. Never buy electrical stuff from those places fuel pumps alternators starters are a no no from those places I give them an A+ for brake pads brakes shoes, transmission fluid, motor oil, power steering fluid, bolts and screws, the only electrical thing you need to buy from those places is a car battery.

20. I brought my car to an auto part store to test the starter, battery, alternator and it all came out good. But still have a starting issue. It has the same sound as in this video when Chris turned the ignition. Could it pass the test because i was able to drive the car to you store for the test already? If it was dead, that should be the time to do the test right?!?

21. My car starter under the intake manifold

22. In cold weather (below 10-15C or about 15F to 5F) my car makes a clicking sound when I try to start it. Then I can leave the car, wait for about 5 minutes and then return to start it, and it usually starts right up. Is this a sign of a bad starter? I have replaced the battery with a new one, no luck.

23. Is there ANYTHING this guy doesn't think of? 😁

24. Good thing this is just a ranger with different name and brand

25. Get some magnetic wire and rewire

26. What if you have multiple clicks but the battery is fine?

27. Starter won’t work?? *V I O L E N C E*

28. Chris, appreciate the video, as I was unsure that the starter was the problem. My '03 Honda tends to go from doing nothing on the first try to sluggish turning to starting on the third or fourth try. My question is about CCA. After watching the video, I checked my battery's voltage and saw also that my CCA is 350. From the video, that would appear to be low CCA to start the engine. I searched and read that this model needs 640 CCA and Autoweek recommends 600 CCA. Do I just need more battery?

29. Thanks guys I was able take it with a little struggle 😂 first time I did it I mean I am smart I am doit guy I can doit but when it’s first time you struggle you know 😂 but it’s outa and it’s rusty I can tell forsure it’s starter because car won’t turn on and I did boost battery still nothing so it’s starter forsure
    My vehicle is Pontiac 06
    My dads actually
    I checked two things you said to check fuse is good battery is good still turns on radio windows go up fast so I tried boost still no go so it’s starter forsure😊 thank you again dude ❤

30. Hello Chris! I have a question: when you test a starter, what constitutes a "fail"? At about 9:45 , when the AutoZone guy puts the starter in the testing machine, you can see the pinion pop out and start to rotate, but then the machine says "FAIL". Isn't that what the starter is supposed to do?

31. Dont buy this aftermarket garbage. Buy a brush kit instead and lube the motor.

32. You did a great that's why I subcribe to your useful channel. Thanks dude

33. looks like the bad starter passed the bench test though obviously it was bad but shouldn't it of not engaged if it was bad?

34. I have a b2600i I can’t seem to get started,

    Nothing is fried. It’ll start to turn over and turns, so I’m not sure if it’s still the timing or just the corroded starter, also unsure if it’s getting fuel lines,

    I’m completely new…

35. What causes the clicking noise when the battery is dead?

36. I checked the battery, the fuse, the relay… Nothing helped.
    Watch your video and try to move transmission gear box, just to neutral and back.
    And it worked. Car started!
    Thank you! Y are the best.
    God bless you

37. 7 years and valuable information (13 July 2024) ✊🏾💯

38. No chocks on the back wheels?

39. Can a faulty starter affect a cars performance. Like while driving?

40. I just noticed that you updated the thumbnail of the video and I want to say that they both look amazing!

41. GOD BLESS

42. I have a Ford escape. No start issue. Key turns freely but no crank no start. There is one click when i turn the key. Could it be the starter? What about the ignition switch?

43. Why no mention of the solenoid. Many of us who have dealt with a lot of rigs over the years have had to swap them out. More often than not, we went on to enjoy years of good service from the starter.

    Had an old Chev (might have been my 57 1/2 ton) and was able to pull the solenoid apart and flip the copper disc inside to get some more life, until I could get a new one.

44. My starter died on me twice this year. First time in february. I thought it was a flat battery but jump starting it didn’t work and I had to get it towed. I just finished a 10 hour night shift and was pretty tired, so walking home in -25 C for over an hour was not fun. After he changed the starter it worked great for about five months. It died on me again this week; this time I also assumed it was the battery, as the starter was fairly new and the battery isn’t. However the battery is good, so I thought it had to be a blown fuse or something, but no. We tried hitting the starter with a hammer while turning the egnition like you said, but with no luck. So the mechanic changed the starter again. It works great now and starts up quickly. I’m starting to think there’s an issue because a starter should last longer than a few months and I’m not driving That much. Do you have any ideas?

45. My starter was going bad, the wire to ground wss very loose and the car didnt want to start always. Today we replaced it, and noticed shims on the original. We added them to the new starter and installed, but on startup and turning left there's now a slight grinding or ticking sound for a second or two.

    The shims are there to add space to prevent this grinding, so it's weird it is happening still and even weirder it happens when the car turns to the left, since if it was just the teeth of the starter you would think it would not persist during a drive. I think replacing it with another new one is the way to go.

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