dead 4kq

[Aaron Ryba]

Chris

I have recently replaced the starter on my 4kscq
It is actually a quick job compared to other  repairs
under the hood.

There are two bolts that hold the starter to the
flywheel housing. One is on the lower part of the
starter flange and the other is up high.
If i remeber correcly the lower bolt threads into the
flywheel housing (i.e. no nut on the other side)
The top bolt however does have a nut on the other side
and it is a bit of a bitch to get to.  The nut is
located on the back of the flywheel housing and is
directly above the subframe/ front right suspension
arm and in front of the exhaust downpipe.

You need to get to this nut if not to loosed the bolt
but to torque it back together.

I acessed this nut with the car on ramps, lying under
the car with your head to the rear, then you can fit
your right hand through a space in the wheel well
where the tierod goes through, or a space between the
suspension (i forget which).  Other hand goes on the
front of the bolt.  A small 3/8 drive can fit in just
enough.

I must add that unless you have the car properly
secured and stabilized that I would not suggest
contorting your arm into this position because if the
car is to move, fall or anything else, it is goodbye
to mr. hand.

Once bolts are loose and off and the wiring has been
removed and marked a quick tap with a mallet or hammer
should break the starter loose.

I advise cleaning the car end of the starter contacts
with sandpaper.

Once the starter is out you can test the problem.
Hook up a good battery it using jumper cables,
negative on the casing and positive on the main power
connection.  Then with a smaller wire you can jump the
solenoid and connect the main pos power to the other
connection.  This should make the starter jump, the
drive pin should shoot out into place and the thing
should spin untill you disconnect it.  Carefull, the
thing will really jump!
This is the way you can test if the problem is the
solenoid or the motor itself.  But either way you are
probably putting in a new one anyway right.

Your problem might actually be in the corrosion of the
wiring connection to the unit itself.  This was my
case, but i replaced the starter anyway (only $70 or
so after the core return).

I suggest popping the clutch (standard, right?) To
then drive the car up some good sturdy ramps.  But
don't warm the car up because you need to get your
hand around the exhaust downpipe to perform the job.
Be sure to block the rear wheels, and secure the
bottom of the car with saftey jacks (emerg brake up
and car in gear is obvious), those ramps are not as
strong as you might think.

Good luck and be safe.

aaron ryba
87 4kcsq
91(?) Fuji Vantage (now missing rear fender)


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