How do you replace a starter on a six cylinder 2002 dodge caravan?

Answer 1

I just did this operation. If your car won't start or if you suspect a problem with the solenoid (which is integral to the starter motor) you have to do this. First of all, REMOVE THE NEGATIVE CABLE FROM THE BATTERY BEFORE YOU BEGIN! IF YOU DON'T, YOU STAND A GOOD CHANCE OF CREATING SOME BIG SPARKS FROM ACCIDENTALLY LETTING A POSITIVE CABLE TOUCH SOMEWHERE ON THE CHASSIS GROUND. NOT ONLY MIGHT THIS CAUSE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO SOMETHING EXPENSIVE, BUT SPARKS AROUND GASOLINE IS A MAJOR HAZARD! You have to get under the car. You're looking for the starter, which is bolted to the engine by two bolts. The starter is near the oil filter; you can tell it's the starter because you'll see where the cable is attached to the starter terminal by a nut. There are two 15mm bolts to be removed, one at the bottom which is relatively easy to get to from below, and one at the top which is somewhat tricky to get to by above. The one at the top is tricky because it doesn't look like a bolt. There are two wires in about the right place (look at the new starter assembly holes) that attach to what looks like a threaded stud - believe it or not, that's the upper bolt. You have to first remove the nut and the two wires, then you need a 15 mm deep socket to get the upper bolt off. Do not attempt to remove the bigger bolt that appears at the top - that's a motor mount bolt. The one you have to remove doesn't look like a bolt at first. Weird-looking part. Suggestion: Use a bungee cord to pull back the big fat radiator hose (the one that connects to the thermostat housing) to make room to get the upper bolt off. Pull towards the firewall. Now get back under the car and remove the starter-solenoid assembly. Replace with the new or rebuilt one - it'll cost you about $140. This is tricky, getting the starter motor in place while getting the gasket seated properly. You'll just have to futz with it for a while. You may get lucky and do it quickly or not. Be patient. Get the lower bolt in and tighten, then get the upper bolt in. Do a final tightening of both, then replace the cable that attaches to the starter. Remove bungee cord and let the radiator hose fall back into place. There's a plug that goes in near where the cable nut is. You may have to loosen the nut and cable and play with it if it's reversed from your old part. (That happened to me.) Refasten negative cable on battery. That's it! About a two hour job and very dirty on the fingers. I suggest rubber gloves.