How to Change a Starter Motor on a 1992 Chevy Lumina
Starter failure most often happens from a dead or dying car battery. Without the proper voltage it needs from the battery to turn the engine, the starter won't function correctly. Aftermarket accessories such as car alarms and auto-starting devices can interfere with the starter as well, especially if improper gauged wiring is used. Changing the starter motor can be done at home in 40 minutes with a few minor tools. On the 2.2-liter 1992 Chevy Lumina, the starter mounts on the lower side of the transmission bell housing.
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Things You'll Need
- Socket-wrench set
- Car jack
- Jack stand
- White painter's tape
- 3/8-inch drive torque wrench
- ¼-inch drive torque wrench
Instructions
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1
Disconnect the negative battery cable from its post with a socket wrench. After the cable's removed, position it away from the battery so that it doesn't accidentally make contact with the battery or any other metal.
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2
Engage the emergency brake and then use a car jack to raise the Lumina on the passenger side. Place a jack stand 2 1/2-inches away from the jacking point of the car jack. Raise the jack stand's support arm until it bears the weight of the car and then lock it into position. Don't remove the car jack; you can leave it in position for extra support.
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3
Locate the starter under the car. It looks like a large canned good without a label with a smaller one connected to it.
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4
Remove the bolts from the half moon-shaped flywheel inspection cover at the base of the starter with a socket wrench. Place the cover to the side of the work area along with its bolts.
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5
Remove the bolt from the retaining bracket at the top of the starter. Don't remove the two nuts that hold the bracket to the starter. Only remove the single bolt that holds the retaining bracket to the side of the engine.
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6
Place a piece of white painter's tape on the two smaller wires connected to the solenoid. Label the two wires "inner and outer," then remove the nuts holding the wires in place. Now remove the nut holding the "S" terminal wire to the solenoid and take the wire off its stud as well. The wires are two different sizes, one big and two small, so don't worry about mixing them up as long as you clearly labeled both smaller wires.
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7
Remove the inner starter-mounting bolt first, at the base of the starter with your socket wrench. Then support the starter with one hand and remove the outer mounting bolt. Lower the starter away from its position on the flywheel and out of the car.
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8
Loosen and remove both nuts holding the retaining bracket on the old starter. Then reinstall the bracket on the new starter just as you removed it. Tighten both nuts on the bracket to 80 in-lbs. with a ¼-inch drive torque wrench.
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9
Install the new starter now, by reversing the removal process. Secure both starter-mounting bolts with a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench set to 32 ft-lbs. Tighten the "S" terminal wire on the solenoid with a ¼-inch drive torque wrench set to 22 in-lbs. and then both smaller wires to 84 in-lbs. Tighten the retaining bracket's bolt that secures it to the engine to 26 ft-lbs. with a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench. Hand-thread each of the flywheel inspection cover's bolts and then tighten them to 89 in-lbs. with your ¼-inch drive torque wrench.
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References
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- Photo Credit the powerful engine image by kuhar from Fotolia.com
