How to Remove a Car Starter Solenoid

When the car starter solenoid goes bad, it means that it can no longer supply power to the car's starter. The engine won't crank and the car won't start. To remove the solenoid, follow these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pencil
• Paper
• Box wrench set
• Pliers
• Blade screwdriver

How to Remove Fender Mounted Solenoid

1. Locate the starter solenoid on the car's inside fender wall. Also locate the starter, usually at the bottom front end of the engine.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Use a box wrench to loosen the battery clamp. Wiggle it off of the negative terminal using pliers. Be sure to position both battery cables safely away from the terminals to avoid contact with the battery while you're working on the car.

3. Observe the wires running to the starter and the solenoid. Draw a diagram showing where each wire goes. This way you can reconnect the wires properly to the new solenoid and starter wire.

4. Loosen the screws holding the wire(s) to the starter and solenoid as well as those running from the positive battery cable to the starter. Disconnect all wires.

5. Take the solenoid out by loosening and removing the screws holding the solenoid bracket and the solenoid in place.

Starter Mounted Solenoid

6. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Use a box wrench to loosen the battery clamp. Wiggle it off of the negative terminal using pliers. Be sure to position both battery cables safely away from the terminals to avoid contact with the battery while you're working on the car.

7. Locate the starter and solenoid at the bottom front of the engine. Observe and diagram the wires attached to the starter and the solenoid.

8. Remove the wires attached to the solenoid and the starter wire from the battery cable to the starter. You'll also need to remove the braided wire running between the starter and the solenoid.

9. Take the solenoid housing off the solenoid. It is held in place with screws or bolts, so you'll need either the screwdriver or a box wrench to remove the housing. You may need to rotate the housing to get it off. On some starters, the solenoid plunger and spring may stay in the solenoid when you remove it, so you'll have to wiggle the solenoid gently to disengage and pull it off. On other starters, the plunger and spring will be loose and the solenoid housing will come off easily.

Tips & Warnings

• On a starter mounted solenoid, it's sometimes easier to remove the starter and solenoid assembly from the car to work on the solenoid.