Replacing a Starter on a Pontiac Grand Am SE

As cars get older they tend to break down and when they break down we have to take them to a mechanic to get them fixed. While this is often the case when many parts break you don’t always have to rush off to your local mechanic and a lot of times you can fix the problem yourself in a few easy steps. Through this you will learn how to save not only a lot of time, but a lot of money and have your car running like new in no time.

Purchasing a new starter

In order to save yourself both time and added stress the first step before purchasing a new starter is to remove the old starter from your car. In order to do this you need to first move your car to a flat surface if it is not already and then determine if you can fit underneath the car without difficulty. For my year of Pontiac it was difficult to fit underneath because it hugs the ground, if this is the case with your Grand Am as well you will need to use floor jacks to jack the car up off the surface. If you have never attempted this procedure before be sure to use two jacks and place one on each side of the car just below the door frame aligned with the metal bar that runs across the door panel. Once you have the car at the desired height look below where the engine compartment is, between the muffler and front axle of the car, you should see the starter attached with two bolts. Remove both bolts and write down where each connecting wire on the starter is located and then remove them, being sure to store all lose screws and bolts in a pan so as not to lose them. Once completed take the old starter to your local auto parts store and determine which starter you need, its best to buy from the store because if the new starter has a malfunction you can easily get a replacement at no cost to you.

How to replace your starter

When you begin to replace the starter you will realize as I did that the starter itself comes out much easier then it goes back in. The reason for this is that when it is factory built it goes in before the engine and the muffler is then placed below it. In order to save time and energy it is best to make the connections to the starter first so that it can help to support the weight of the starter as you bring it into place. Be sure to have the same wrench that you took the nuts and bolts off with you to make things go smoothly. Once you have connected the wires properly you will want to thread the nut and bolt through both holes and then align it with the holes on the mounting bracket for the starter. If you have trouble as I did getting your hands in place you can apply some grease to your hands to help them slide past the bracket assembly. Be sure to properly tighten the bolts before exiting from underneath the care.

What if the car doesn’t start?

If the car doesn’t start or you hear a clicking noise you could have a faulty starter. Don’t be alarmed it happens from time to time as I went through two faulty starters from the store before I got one that worked. If your starter is bad the store with give you a replacement at no cost, just be sure to bring your receipt with you when you do. Replacing a starter can be difficult, but once you are able to you will save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run.