Is it a V6 or V8? I know the V8's starter is up top, under the plenum, not sure about the V6..
It sounds scary to have to get into the engine to change the starter but, a lot of people say if you're doing it in your driveway, it's probably easier than trying to get underneath for a conventional one
Two bolts, looks easy in the service manual; no special tools.
From the manual:
Starter Motor Replacement (LY7)
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
3. Remove the starter solenoid electrical connector from the starter
4. Remove the starter terminal nut and the battery positive cable from the starter
5. Remove the starter motor bolts.
6. Remove the starter motor.
note: when installing new starter torque value is 37 lb/ft
Wrong - not easy. It's easy to unbolt but you need to remove the driver side catalytic converter to get it out of the engine cavity. That's an all day job in itself pal.
It's a fairly difficult job, exhaust to come apart and off,O2 sensor to unhook,starter wiring, I had a hard time,next time I will foot bill and go to Dealer,there is a special engine lifting procedure which makes the job a snap compared to laying on your back in the gravel. Good Luck.
I was told by my client today that the Cadillac dealership wanted to want to charge him $600 to replace the starter.. And that my friends was only the labor. The starter itself was well over $300. Instead of you removing the catalytic converter (which is something I never thought of) or the intake manifold, I simply removed the AC belt and the AC compressor (by pulling it forward as carefully as possible, but only after removing the three bolts that hold it to the blocked attachment.) you need to remove the AC compressor, and noted to allow clearance of the starter which will come out by the whole just ahead of the steering knuckle.
Just remember which way you took the starter out, we'll have to flip it around, like I did, ha ha.
It was difficult and I'm sure it took every bit of over three hours to do it. There were a lot of cooler lines and my arms could barely fit in there and I was getting hand cramps. I charged to the customer were only $160 (he ordered his own starter online). A word of caution: should you try decide to try it this way, is absolutely necessary that when you're pulling make sure the AC compressor wire (a single wire with the clip) has been separated. Or, you'll run the risk of not only snapping that wire, but breaking any of the lines that are in that area as well.
just in case none of you tried, but I would suggest that you take the driver side front wheel off.
Once you move the AC compressor, you'll need a 15mm socket to remove the wiring harness (just loosening it so it can move about an inch from its original position on each side..), and 15 mm wrench to remove the starter, which is on the driver side lower portion of the transmission bell housing to engine block connection. This makes the job much, much easier.
I hope that helps, enjoy your day, gentlemen and ladies.
Do any of you know if the starter on a 2007 sts V6 3.6L is accessible without taking off the Cat. converter? My sts is grinding when I try to start it.
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