How to Change a Starter for a Honda Accord
by Christian Killian
If the starter motor in your Honda Accord is dragging or has stopped working, you can replace it with a new or rebuilt starter from your Honda dealer, or you can purchase one through most auto parts stores. If you want a used starter motor, you can source one from a salvage yard, but be aware that most salvage yards will only warranty starters for 30 days. Changing the starter on the Accord can be done from under the car or from the top of the engine compartment, and the procedure is similar for all of the Accord engines.
Step 1
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative battery post with a wrench and isolate it from the battery while you are working.
Step 2
Locate the starter at the front of the engine compartment. It is placed near the bottom of the engine block. Remove the two electrical connections from the back of the starter with a wrench and set them aside.
Step 3
Pull the wiring harness from the clip that holds the harness on the starter motor. The entire harness will pull out of the bracket without much effort if you pull it straight out.
Step 4
Remove the upper and lower mounting bolts from the starter with a socket and ratchet. Pull the starter straight out of the bell housing, then lift it out of the engine compartment.
Step 5
Lower the new starter motor into position and install the two mounting bolts from the old starter. Torque the bolts to 32 foot-pounds of pressure with a torque wrench.
Step 6
Push the wiring harness into the harness bracket on the new starter and connect the two electrical connections to the terminal on the back of the starter. Install the retaining nuts on the terminals over the wires and tighten them with a wrench.
Step 7
Reinstall the negative battery cable on to the negative terminal of the battery and tighten the retaining bolt with a wrench. Start the Accord to test the new starter.
Things You'll Need
- Metric wrench set
- Metric socket set
- 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.
