[ark40]

I did some searching around the forum but couldn't find anything with pictures. I think the starter on my 98 corolla is malfunctioning, the notorious click problem. The starter clicks but the engine doesn't crank. The battery is new so that can't be it. I go the Haynes manual but I can't seem to find any good pictures of how to remove the starter. One of the bolts is visible, it is right behind where the battery cable connects to the starter. But the other two seem completely inaccessible.

Any thoughts, tips, or pictures.

thanks in advance

 

[no2corolla]

How new is the battery? If the alternator is bad it might had drained your battery the last time you used it.

 

[ark40]

the battery is a week old. I can see one of the bolt/nut which is on the front side but there should be a second nut which is not visible. The Haynes manual doesn't say that you have to remove any air ducts or the air filter assembly for the 98 (you have to do this for the 97). But even from under the engine (jacked up and pebble guard removed) you can't see the second nut/bolt. The replacement starter has two holes for these bolts, one is threaded and the other is plain, which makes me think these would have to be opened from opposite ends.

 

[joeyicu]

the other started bolt is on the side of the transmission

hayes can be unclear about somethings and i have found that in a few occasions they also give out misinformation

remove your battery
remove your air filter housing
remove your intake tube

the bolt will look like a transmission bolt, but will be smaller, if you accidentally remove a transmission bolt, dont worry about it, thread it back in and snug it up and continue looking for your starter bolt

the way i just described it takes a little longer, but gives you alot more room to work with to be able to see, you dont have to remove any of it to get the bolt realistically, but it makes your life alot easier for a small 5 minutes of your time

 

[ark40]

thanks, I have plans to work on this Sat morning, your tip will certainly help.

 

[cheesep]

Firstly, if you are just getting a click, make sure your battery cables and connections are good and clean and tight. Make sure you have a good ground connection and that the positive battery cable has continuity.

There are 2 starter bolts. you access the lower one from underneath, from the left, and you access the upper one from above, on the right. Some wobbly socket extensions will help. I was able to remove the rhs bolt without removing the battery and I was able to wiggle the starter out the bottom past the lower rad hose by deforming it slightly but not removing it.

If you search the Archived Corolla forum for "starter" a bunch of hits will come up.

Torque the starter bolts to 27 ft-lb when you put it back together.

 

[ark40]

thanks for your comments cheesep and joeyicu, I was able to replace the starter this weekend. The bolts as you mentioned have to be accessed from opposite sides. I was also able to get to the rhs bolt without removing the air filter etc. (I did remove the battery). It took a little wriggling and twisting to pull the starter out from the bottom but the radiator hose is flexible enough to allow the starter to be pulled through. Putting the new one was a chore though, I had to remove the oil level sensor connector cables to creates some more room.

Over all it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. The new(rebuilt) starter works like a charm.

 

[hschew00]

I tried to replace the starter of my 98 corolla LE. Somehow I could not see the bolt that was supposed to access from the top. I can removed the bottom bolt from underneath. Can you show me with a picture where is the top bolt? I even removed the battery but don't see any.

thanks for your comments cheesep and joeyicu, I was able to replace the starter this weekend. The bolts as you mentioned have to be accessed from opposite sides. I was also able to get to the rhs bolt without removing the air filter etc. (I did remove the battery). It took a little wriggling and twisting to pull the starter out from the bottom but the radiator hose is flexible enough to allow the starter to be pulled through. Putting the new one was a chore though, I had to remove the oil level sensor connector cables to creates some more room.

Over all it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. The new(rebuilt) starter works like a charm.

 

[Clayton1984]

After you remove the battery and air intake, the bolt for the starter is the furthest to the left. It has a smaller head than the other bolts. I think its a 14mm head vs 16mm for the transmission bolts.