How to Remove the Starter in a Toyota Tercel
by Christian Killian
When the starter in your Toyota Tercel stops working or is acting up, removing it from the car will allow you to have it bench tested to determine what needs to be done. Because the Tercel is front-wheel drive and the starter is on the front of the engine, you can access the connections and mounting bolts from above the starter. Removing the starter from the top is the recommended way to get it out of the car.
Step 1
Find the negative battery cable on your battery. It is normally black, and the battery terminal has a large minus ("-") embossed into the plastic next to the terminal. Loosen the clamp bolt on the cable end with a wrench then remove the cable from the battery.
Step 2
Locate the wiring harness connectors at the rear of the starter solenoid from above the starter. The starter solenoid is on the top of the starter and leans slightly out from the engine. Remove the retaining nut from the connector on the solenoid with a wrench, then remove the wiring, setting it aside.
Step 3
Move to the front of the starter motor and remove the starter mounting bolts from the starter with a socket and ratchet. Slide the starter out of the bell housing, then lift it out of the engine compartment. Do not reconnect the battery cable while the starter is out of the car or you will energize the cable you removed from the starter, potentially damaging the circuit.
References
- "Toyota Tercel Factory Service Manual"; Toyota Motor Corp; 1998
Things You'll Need
- Wrench set
- Socket set
- Ratchet
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.
