How do you change a starter for a 2004 Mercury Sable?

Answer 1

Remove both leads to the battery. There are two bolts holding the starter to the transmission. One, the bolt closer to the radiator has a ground on it and has a nut on the bolt fastening the ground lead to the bolt.

After removing the ground a deep socket will be needed to remove the bolt. The rear bolt comes out and you have a starter in your hands.

You have a positive cable attached to the starter and an ignition bypass still attached that must be removed before you can drop the starter.

I have changed brushes in the 3.8 starter and found the starter will go another 100,000 miles. This is a gear reduction starter that should be checked to draw about 80 amps without a load. Some will draw more than 130 amps which is definitely over spec.

The cost of brushes lists for $50 but can be purchased for $15 from a starter rebuilder.

A little grease on the bearing surfaces, and a little polishing of the communtator, and the starter will work well for years.

AnswerHey Russell==Disconnect the battery. Raise the car up and remove the wires from the starter. Then remove the bolts and work it out among the exhaust pipes. GoodluckJoe

---The reason so many look at this topic may be the chilton manual which shows a diagram of the 3.0L starter shrunk down to unreadable. What looks like the top bolt is not connected to the starter at all. The bolt labled "stud" which holds the cable routing bracket has to be removed after the bracket and nut are removed.

Also unless you have an air rachet, no normal length tool can be used to break the top bolt loose without removing the fan and shroud, and the stud that holds cable managment bracket. Also the relays and controllers mounted to the rail above the radiator.

After that the exhaust pipes are not really in the way of removal.

AnswerThat top bolt is a real challenge - I assembled about 2 feet worth of socket driver extensions and fed it to the bolt from straight out and to the far right side. This provided lots of swing-room for the ratchet wrench. AnswerDisconnect - side of batteryFollow + battery cable for starter locationLift and secure vehicle if needed for accessRemove 2 bolts securing starterDisconnect wiresSlide starter out of housing Reverse to install

The start is located on the lower part of the 'front' of the engine - the side literally facing the front of the vehicle.

It is located below the front exhaust manifold.

The starter is lower front of engine at the transmission close to the radiator.

AnswerBefore removing the starter for repair or replacement, check the condition of all circuit wiring for damage. Inspect all connections to the starter motor, relay, ignition switch, and battery, including all ground connections. Clean and tighten all connections as seen fit.

Also keep in mind that the heavy gague input lead to the starter solenoid is hot at all times. Be careful to ensure the protective cap is installed over the terminal and replaced after service.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Note: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal driveablilty symptoms may occur while the PCM relearns its adaptive strategy. It usually take about 10 miles of driving to relearn it, so take it easy.

2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.

3. Disengage the starter cable and the push-on connector from the starter solenoid.

4. Remove the upper and lower retaining bolts, then remove the starter motor from the vehicle.

5. Position the starter motor to the engine , then install the upper and lower retaining bolts finger tight.

6. Tighten the retaining bolts to 15-20 ft. pounds.

7. Engage the starter solenoid connector, making sure to push straight on until it locks into position, you will hear it click.

8. Install the starter calbe nut to the starter solenoid B terminal. Tighten the nut to 80-120 in. pounds, then install the red starter solenoid safety cap.

9. Lower the vehicle, then connect the negative battery cable.

Good Luck - D. Gavel

AnswerBefore removing the starter for repair or replacement, check the condition of all circuit wiring for damage. Inspect all connections to the starter motor, relay, ignition switch, and battery, including all ground connections. Clean and tighten all connections as seen fit.

Also keep in mind that the heavy gague input lead to the starter solenoid is hot at all times. Be careful to ensure the protective cap is installed over the terminal and replaced after service.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Note: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal driveablilty symptoms may occur while the PCM relearns its adaptive strategy. It usually take about 10 miles of driving to relearn it, so take it easy.

2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.

3. Disengage the starter cable and the push-on connector from the starter solenoid.

4. Remove the upper and lower retaining bolts, then remove the starter motor from the vehicle.

5. Position the starter motor to the engine , then install the upper and lower retaining bolts finger tight.

6. Tighten the retaining bolts to 15-20 ft. pounds.

7. Engage the starter solenoid connector, making sure to push straight on until it locks into position, you will hear it click.

8. Install the starter calbe nut to the starter solenoid B terminal. Tighten the nut to 80-120 in. pounds, then install the red starter solenoid safety cap.

9. Lower the vehicle, then connect the negative battery cable.

Good Luck - D. Gavel

AnswerBefore removing the starter for repair or replacement, check the condition of all circuit wiring for damage. Inspect all connections to the starter motor, relay, ignition switch, and battery, including all ground connections. Clean and tighten all connections as seen fit.

Also keep in mind that the heavy gague input lead to the starter solenoid is hot at all times. Be careful to ensure the protective cap is installed over the terminal and replaced after service.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

Note: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal driveablilty symptoms may occur while the PCM relearns its adaptive strategy. It usually take about 10 miles of driving to relearn it, so take it easy.

2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.

3. Disengage the starter cable and the push-on connector from the starter solenoid.

4. Remove the upper and lower retaining bolts, then remove the starter motor from the vehicle.

5. Position the starter motor to the engine , then install the upper and lower retaining bolts finger tight.

6. Tighten the retaining bolts to 15-20 ft. pounds.

7. Engage the starter solenoid connector, making sure to push straight on until it locks into position, you will hear it click.

8. Install the starter calbe nut to the starter solenoid B terminal. Tighten the nut to 80-120 in. pounds, then install the red starter solenoid safety cap.

9. Lower the vehicle, then connect the negative battery cable.

Good Luck - D. Gavel

AnswerDisconnect one battery cable. You can disconnect the positive instead of the negative just for fun if you like, but don't arc out.

Jack up the front of the car (and yadda set it on stands, yadda set parking yadda brake.)

The starter is bolted to the engine near the bottom on the side closer to the radiator. This is a very easy one to get to. You may need 13mm and 15mm sockets, both deep and short as well as wrenches of those sizes to remove it. On some cars a 17mm deep may also be required Be careful not to damage the ground strap on the lower mounting stud. This will be the easiest starter you ever replace unless you're using a Pep Boys guaranteed defective prostart brand unit that you'll replace within a few days.

If your transaxle has been replaced by a dimwit or slacktard, the nut on the lower mounting stud may not be removable in place any you may break the ground strap at that stud. If so, DO NOT forget to repair this ground strap.

Wear high quality thick latex gloves that fit well. Keep a few extra gloves and rags handy. If this is a 3.0L engine (not a 3.8L which has blown it's third head gasket by now) the starter will be covered in nasty partially burned oil because every time the filter is removed it drains onto the starter. Keep a few spare gloves handy.

AnswerLook for your oil filter.The starter should be just by where the filter is mounted.I'm looking at a close up picture so I have no idea where this is.

- Disconnect the large cable from the terminal on the starter moter.- Remove the 2 bolts attaching the rear support bracket to remove bracket.- Remove the 2 bolts connecting the starter to the bellhousing.There should be a ground wire attached to the upper bolt.- transmission type: - automatic - remove starter between the radiator and subframe. - manual - remove starter between the subframe and engine.

Answerwhile your answer was good,may i suggest that folks always disconnect the battery first.This is always a good practice to follow anyway in order to prevent an aciccident or blown computer. AnswerStarter id almost dead center (from side to side) just benind the radiator, in the hardest possible location to reach, and it is right next to the oil filter. Ford was kind enough to leave no way to easily remove it, much less install a replacement. Be prepared to remove the fan, etc., and bring lights, extensions, floppy sockets, mirors, or a small child. Good luck.

Answer 2

Disconnect - battery terminal Lift and safely secure vehicle disconnect wiring harness on starter Remove mounting bolts Drop starter down--may have to twist to remove