How to Change a Starter on a Nissan Sentra
by Christian Killian
A starter that is not working correctly can really ruin your day. If your starter is making a grinding noise or is not responding when you turn the key, it is time to remove it, have it tested and more than likely install a new one. The starter motor for your Nissan Sentra can be purchased new from most auto parts stores or used from a salvage yard. Changing it is fairly easy, and it will save you having a large repair bill with a mechanic or garage doing the work.
Step 1
Open the hood of your Sentra and remove the negative terminal from the battery using a wrench. Set it aside, positioning it so that it cannot make contact with the battery while you work.
Step 2
Position a jack under the front of the car and lift it off the ground high enough to comfortably work under it. Position a set of jack stands under the frame to support the car safely while you are working.
Step 3
Locate the starter on the back of the engine while working from under the car. Remove the electrical connection at the back of the starter with a wrench and lay the wire harness aside for now.
Step 4
Remove the mounting bolts, starting with the upper bolt, using a socket and ratchet. Remove the lower bolts then slide the starter out of the bell housing and lower it down and out of the engine compartment.
Step 5
Insert the new starter into the bell housing where you removed the old one and install the lower mounting bolt until it is hand-tight, then insert the top bolt and tighten both bolts to 85 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.
Step 6
Install the electrical connections to the back of the new starter and tighten the retaining nut with a wrench until tight. Do not over-tighten this nut as the housing on the solenoid is plastic and may crack.
Step 7
Remove the jack stands from the frame and lower the car to the ground. Reinstall the negative battery terminal on the battery and close the hood. Test the new starter by starting the car.
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Socket set
- New starter
- 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.
