[GmFaux02]

So recently my Celica Supra (5M-GE 1985) has come across a problem with a bad starter, I have got the starter in and there’s a few questions I have, for starters I’m not 100% sure if this is the correct starter, for my sake and the sake of my sanity I would like some more confirmation, secondly I’m not sure how to go about getting the starter replaced, any advice is much appreciated and I will attach videos and pictures in this post! Thank you all for your help!

Video of the Starter

 

[ToyodaSup]

A starter on a 5MGE is one of the most frustratingly difficult parts to replace as many will attest to. Access to the starter is difficult because it is buried under the intake manifold and getting hands and tools on the two nuts and bolts is near impossible, at least without a lot of cussing. Removing the intake manifold will make the job much easier although it takes time and can result in creating more problems by breaking little things or not replacing parts in their correct place. You may even want to remove the hood if you are removing the intake and then safely and securely jack the front end up to make access to the job ergonomically better.

Use google to search celicasupra.com to view older posts on this subject and good luck.


David

 

[discoelk]

Remove the hood to replace a starter!?!

Just replace it from under the car. It's not that bad.

 

[gamble]

Removing the starter aint bad on these from the bottom, just follow the TSRM you posted a screen shot of and you'll be fine. Make sure you completely disconnect the battery, critical step for sure. If you're removing the entire trans that can be a pain on these, but just the starter? Cake.

My question is are you sure it's even the starter? First step IMO would have been to pull your old starter off and take it to get tested at your local auto parts store. Now it may be intermittent so they run the test and it passes, but if it's not working for you 100% of the time, could be that. You would get an idea of cable condition while pulling that starter as well. Did you already run down the basic level of troubleshooting here from the TSRM? I'd hate for you to be throwing parts at a problem and then be upset it's not fixed. Starting issues can be bad battery, bad cables, loose cables, etc as shown here MK2 TSRM On-Line

 

[GmFaux02]

Removing the starter aint bad on these from the bottom, just follow the TSRM you posted a screen shot of and you'll be fine. Make sure you completely disconnect the battery, critical step for sure. If you're removing the entire trans that can be a pain on these, but just the starter? Cake.

My question is are you sure it's even the starter? First step IMO would have been to pull your old starter off and take it to get tested at your local auto parts store. Now it may be intermittent so they run the test and it passes, but if it's not working for you 100% of the time, could be that. You would get an idea of cable condition while pulling that starter as well. Did you already run down the basic level of troubleshooting here from the TSRM? I'd hate for you to be throwing parts at a problem and then be upset it's not fixed. Starting issues can be bad battery, bad cables, loose cables, etc as shown here MK2 TSRM On-Line

I ran through the TSRM with a friend of mine and we both concluded that the starter is probably dead, Once i remove the old starter I can definitely check to see if that's, in fact, the problem. I should be meeting with him tomorrow again and we can hopefully diagnose the problem further. Thank you so much for the help and I'll be sure to let him know about all you guys have said!

 

[ToyodaSup]

Remove the hood to replace a starter!?!
Just replace it from under the car. It's not that bad.

In context that was if you remove the intake manifold. The hood has four bolts and takes 2 minutes to remove and makes access towards the firewall easier. I have found that taking 5 minutes for on and off of the hood saves time and I don't hit my head on that sharp front corner.

 

[supkar]

I like the idea of under the car removal. When putting the new one in, try to hook up the cables before installing. Also, you might try one guy underneath holding it up, and another guy above with a very long ratchet extension. Good luck, you'll need it.

 

[Zoe]

I replaced the starter maybe 10 or 15 yrs ago in my driveway. jacked the car up on the front (use jack stands, not the actual jack), I removed the left front wheel. The bolts would be removed with very long extensions iirc., then slide the starter out while lying under the car, just make sure it doesn't drop on your face, it is heavy!
I hope we don't need to mention to disconnect the battery first

 

[supra_toy]

I bought a 30"+ long 1/2 drive to 3/8 (w/locking end) extension that I put a swivel impact socket on for just this job...

a really long quality extension and impact rated swivel sockets from under the car is the way to go

 

[j4ckro]

I replaced my starter earlier this year and it is quite the job. You can remove the bottom bolt and nut with ease, however, the top nut and bolt is a pain. Closest I have come to flat out giving up. I came at it from the top, not removing the hood or the intake manifold with a long ratchet extension, a swivel bit, and a ratcheting wrench. I held the bolt end with the ratchet and took the nut off with the ratcheting wrench. As a college student however I did this as cheap as I could without removing too many parts since this was in a parking garage. I’m sure there might be a better way to do this but this is just how I did it. Totally possible just frustrating to me.