Starter Bolt Broken

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 14, 2009 | 11:55 PM

Rickx

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 444

Likes: 2

From: Franktown, CO

Starter Bolt Broken

This is a strange one for me. You know most of us have the door ajar issue, which may result in battery issues. I was at a Best Buy last night. When I tried to start the EX it sounded like the batteries were dead. I found someone to give me a jump. Same symptom. I walked next door to Cosco and bought two Optimas. My son and I installed them. SAME SYMPTOM. I started searching for a dead short. I crawled under to check the starter cables. One of the long bolts that hod the starter to the bell housing was broken. My starter was binding and that's why it wouldn't turn over. I put on some winter work gloves and held it (it was extremely hot as you can imagine). My son cranked up the Ex while I kept the starter in place. It worked. I tried the same thing this morning. Thought I would take it to the shop. This time the starter fried. Big time!
So I called a tow truck and it's off to shop. I guess the only message this tells me is every time I'm under the EX I have something else to inspect.

Jul 15, 2009 | 06:55 AM

89LX306

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,815

Likes: 24

From: Houston

I had a starter bolt fall out. Not sure why. One day I went out to start the truck and it made and awful noise. I crawled under and looked at the starter and one of the bolts was gone. Now it is part of my routine check when I do an oil change.