Starter / Soleniod wire keeps coming off

[ScotTer93]

After driving my '93 base model Tercel 147,000 miles for 17 years and lurking here off and on for almost a decade I finally need to register to ask a question.

Background:
1. In September (2009) Pep Boys replaced my starter after my car wouldn't start after shopping.
2. In November (2009) my car wouldn't start after a class, so I got push started and took it back the next day. They said a wire wasn't connected with the starter.
3. In January (2010), I stopped somewhere for gas, and it wouldn't start again. Canadian Tire fixed it -- said the soleniod wire was not connected.
4. Three weeks ago it happened again. My garage fixed it and said a starter wire wasn't connected.
5. Yesterday it happened again. It's at my garage now. I haven't picked up the car yet, but I'm assuming it's the same thing.

I told my garage this history, so they're going to check to see if the starter is defective.

My car hardly ever needs work, so I know almost nothing about it. I don't even know where the starter is located. However, a month before Pep Boy replaced my starter I installed a new stereo. I didn't cut any wires since I used adapters.

I don't know how the circuitry is interconnected, but I thought since I was working on it a month before, maybe it's something to look into. It is possible I accidentally loosened another wire that might be causing the solenoid write to come off?

Might be a long show, but thought I'd ask. Thanks!

[ScotTer93]

When I picked up the car they said at most it would cause a short, but it wouldn't cause the wire to come off. So, I have no idea. They put the wire in a different position, so hopefully that'll work.

Has anyone had this happen?

[Tercel GTS]

Normally there's a rubber end that helps hold the wire terminal on. Ask somebody to replace the terminal first since it's prolly worn out from falling off. Then use a wire tie to secure the wire to the starter holding tension on the terminal.
The easiest way you could reach the starter or see it with a flashlight would be from the passenger fender looking under the silver intake manifold that's bolted to the backside of the head just looking over the alternator. From under the car it's very easy access.

[ScotTer93]

Thanks, Tercel GTS! That's something I never though of.

Thank you also for telling me how to reach the starter. That's been driving me nuts trying to locate it, and I was too embarrassed to ask. Between the web and my Haynes Repair Manual I know exactly what the starter looks like inside and out, but I have yet to figure out where it's located under the hood. haha. From your explanation, I know exactly where to look now. I'm going to check it out when I'm on my way out today. (That's a downside to apartment living -- the trek to the car.)

[Tercel GTS]

A tip you may use in park longways over a gutter so you get some crwal room without jacks.

[ScotTer93]

Originally Posted by Tercel GTS

A tip you may use in park longways over a gutter so you get some crwal room without jacks.

That's an awesome tip! Thanks.