Hi all - just wanted to drop a general thank you note. I got my '06 about a month ago. I've been working out some smaller issues, like cleaning the door contacts for much better opening of the doors. Recently, I was having an issue, on and off with starting the car. Sometimes, it would start up, no issue. Other times, it would crank and grind a while before turning over....terrible sound that is. After researching here, I figured it was the fuel pump, or starter/solenoid. I brought it to the dealership near me, and they advised that my negative terminal was not tight enough....and that all was well. I was thrilled, even though I felt a bit silly, since I had just replaced the battery and failed to tighten the terminal enough. Anyhow, I picked up the car, paid the $145 diagnostic fee and went on my way. After a short stop for about 10 minutes, I went to start up and heard that awful grind again. Yes, pissed.

Anyhow, I was going to replace the solenoid on the starter, but saw at Advanced Auto Parts, they had a refurbished starter for under 100 bucks after my 25% discount coupon. So, with that, I put the car up and got underneath. This is something I would not have tried without seeing the process right here. I was lucky, 2 bolts, 2 connectors and loosing the bracket a bit and the starter came out with some manipulating. Did not need to loosen the catalytic converter or any pipes at all. I went to Advanced with the starter. There were issues testing the unit with their machine, but when the tech looked at it, he advised that the old starter was one of theirs, and since it has a lifetime warranty, they gave me the "new" starter without a fee....wow! I think I'll put some heat shield on this one....but it does have a lifetime warranty.

Got home, took about 20 minutes to get it back in. Car started right up.....and after a short run, zero issues for a dozen cranks. Pretty cool! I haven't diy'd on a car in about 10 years, so this was really cool. If anyone sees this, it's a very doable job if there aren't headers to deal with. And, I think I saved myself about $600-$700 bucks.

This place is an incredible tool, thanks to those that post and document how to do so many projects.

Jon

Can't beat the cost! Great job.
One question. The dealer said it was a loose terminal. But you still had the problem after you left. So the dealer was wrong? If so, I had an issue where the dealer misdiagnoised a problem. I returned to the dealer with the paperwork that proved they made an error. The service manager said "sometimes we make mistakes" and refunded the fee. Might be worth a try.

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