How to Install a Starter on a Dodge Avenger
by Dan Ferrell
The starter motor turns the engine on your Dodge Avenger to help it fire up. However, after many starts, internal components wear out and fail to transmit the necessary power to get the engine going. In such case, it is necessary to replace the unit. Depending on your particular Avenger model, you might need to remove one or more components to gain access and replace the starter, which you can do following these steps.
Removing the Starter
Step 1
Disconnect the black, negative battery cable. On some Avenger models, the negative cable is attached to the left strut tower. Use the grommet on the negative cable to cover the strut connection to avoid an accidental ground after disconnecting the cable.
Step 2
Remove the air cleaner assembly to gain access to the starter motor if necessary on your particular Avenger model.
Step 3
Dismount the exhaust pipe, if necessary, to gain access to the starter motor on your particular Avenger model with the 2.5L engine. Use a wrench or ratchet and socket for this.
Step 4
Unscrew the upper starter-mounting bolt using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 5
Raise the front of the vehicle using a floor jack and safely support it on 2 jack stands to reach the bottom starter mounting screw if necessary.
Step 6
Place a drain pan under the oil filter if you have a 2.5L engine and you have to remove the filter to lift the starter off the vehicle. Remove the oil filter using an oil filter wrench.
Step 7
Disconnect the cable and wire from the starter motor using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 8
Unscrew the lower starter-mounting bolt using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 9
Lift the starter motor off the vehicle.
Installing the Starter Motor
Step 1
Set the new starter motor in place and start the two mounting bolts by hand to avoid damage to the threads.
Step 2
Tighten the two starter mounting bolts using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 3
Connect the cable and wire to the starter motor using a wrench and ratchet and socket.
Step 4
Install the oil filter if you had to remove it.
Step 5
Replace the exhaust pipe, if you had to remove it, using a wrench or ratchet and socket.
Step 6
Lower the vehicle, if you had to raise it.
Step 7
Connect the black, negative battery cable.
Step 8
Add engine oil as necessary, if you had to remove the oil filter.
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set
- Ratchet and socket
- Floor Jack and 2 jack stands if necessary
- Drain pan
- Oil filter wrench if necessary
- Engine oil if necessary
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
