How to Change a Starter in a 1997 Toyota Corolla
by Christian Killian
Replacing the starter motor in your 1997 Toyota Corolla yourself can save you from incurring a large repair bill from a garage or dealership. The starter is situated in the front of the engine compartment and removal is accomplished from above, using nothing but basic hand tools that you may already have in your garage or toolbox. Replacement starters are available from most auto parts retailers and come with warranties ranging from one year to the life of the car.
Step 1
Open the hood of your Corolla and locate the air cleaner hose running over the top of the engine. Remove the end of the hose by snapping it out of the air box than lay it off to one side. Move to the battery and find the negative battery cable end where it connects to the terminal. Remove the retaining bolt with a wrench and lift the cable off the battery.
Step 2
Locate the starter motor on the front of the engine. It sits down near the bottom of the block on the driver’s side of the engine compartment between the radiator and engine block.
Step 3
Unplug the wiring harness connector from the back of the solenoid after releasing the locking tab and lay it out of the way. Remove the nut on the “B” terminal on the rear of the solenoid then slide the wire off the post.
Step 4
Remove the upper and lower mounting bolts from the nose of the starter then slide the starter out of the bell housing. Lift the starter out of the engine compartment and set it aside. Lower the new starter into place and slide the nose into the bell housing.
Step 5
Install the two mounting bolts into the bell housing and tighten them to 29 pound-feet with a torque wrench. Slide the single wire with the ring connector onto the “B” terminal followed by the retaining nut and tighten it with a socket and ratchet. Plug the wiring harness connector into the connector on the starter solenoid.
Step 6
Position the air cleaner hose back over the engine to the air filter and snap the hose in place. Install the negative battery cable on the negative battery terminal then tighten the retaining bolt with a wrench.
References
- "Toyota Corolla Factory Service Manual"; Toyota Motor Corp; 1997
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set
- Socket set
- Ratchet
- Torque wrench
Writer Bio
Christian Killian has been a freelance journalist/photojournalist since 2006. After many years of working in auto parts and service positions, Killian decided to move into journalism full-time. He has been published in "1st Responder News" as well as in other trade magazines and newspapers in the last few years.
