How to Replace the Starter Solenoid and Switch Contacts
- 1). Remove the negative battery cable connector from the battery of your vehicle with a socket. Place the cable so it cannot come in contact with the negative battery post.
- 2). Locate the starter under your vehicle. In most cases, the starter bolts to the transmission housing on the driver's side of the vehicle. The starter is usually about eight-inches long and cylindrical in shape.
- 3). Remove the starter wire that secures to the back of the starter solenoid with a socket. Disconnect the jumper wire that bolts to the back of the solenoid with a socket. Disconnect the wiring harness that secures to the starter solenoid by pushing in on the lock in the center of the harness and pulling it off the solenoid.
- 4). Remove the bolts that secure the starter to the transmission housing with a socket. Usually, there are only two bolts; but, on some models, there is a third bolt. Pull the starter away from the transmission housing.
- 5). Remove the two bolts that secure the starter solenoid to the casing on the starter, and pull the solenoid off the casing. As you can see, the contacts secure to the back of the solenoid. Discard the old solenoid.
- 6). Place the new solenoid onto the casing of the starter, and secure it in place with the bolts and a socket.
- 7). Place the starter onto the transmission housing. Thread the bolts into the holes with your fingers to prevent cross threading, and tighten with the socket.
- 8). Reconnect the jumper wire to the right contact on the back of the starter solenoid with the bolt and socket.
- 9). Reconnect the starter wire to the left contact on the back of the starter solenoid with the bolt and socket.
- 10
Reconnect the wiring harness by pushing the harness onto the bolted to the solenoid. It automatically locks in place. - 11
Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery terminal, and tighten it with the socket.
Source...