🔧 Altima - Starter Motor Replacement

Replacing the starter motor on your Altima means removing the failed starter from the transmission bellhousing area and installing a new one so the engine can crank normally. On the 3.5L V6, the starter sits low on the front side of the engine/transaxle area, so access is from underneath.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-3 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before touching the starter; the main starter cable is always battery-powered.
• ⚠️ Support your Altima with jack stands, never only a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust and engine cool completely before working underneath.
• ⚠️ Keep metal tools away from the positive starter terminal to prevent sparks.
• ⚠️ The starter is heavy for its size; support it with one hand as the final bolt comes out.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive 6-inch extension
• 3/8-inch drive universal joint
• Torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Work light
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Starter motor - Qty: 1
• Starter terminal nut - Qty: 1
• Lower splash shield clips - Qty: As needed
• Battery terminal anti-corrosion protectant - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground and shift the CVT into Park.
• Set the parking brake firmly.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool before starting.
• A starter motor is the electric motor that spins the engine when you turn the key or press Start.
• A universal joint is a small socket adapter that lets the socket work at an angle in tight spaces.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

• Use a 10mm socket to loosen the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Remove the negative cable from the battery post and move it aside so it cannot spring back.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove the positive battery terminal cover fastener if access is needed.
• Negative cable comes off first.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at the front center jacking point.
• Raise the front of your Altima high enough to work underneath safely.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Push the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before getting underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses before working under the vehicle.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic retaining clips from the lower splash shield.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any lower shield bolts.
• Lower the splash shield and set it aside.
• Keep clips in a cup.

Step 4: Locate the Starter

• Use a work light to look at the front lower side of the engine where it meets the transmission.
• Find the starter motor mounted to the transmission bellhousing.
• The bellhousing is the rounded transmission case area where the engine and transmission bolt together.
• Identify the large battery cable and the smaller control wire attached to the starter solenoid.
• The solenoid is the small cylinder on the starter that switches battery power to the starter motor.

Step 5: Remove the Starter Electrical Connections

• Use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently release the locking tab on the small starter control wire connector.
• Pull the small connector straight off the starter solenoid.
• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket to remove the nut from the large starter battery cable terminal.
• Move the large cable away from the starter.
• Keep the terminal nut if your replacement starter does not include a new one.
• Torque during installation: large starter terminal nut to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the Starter Mounting Bolts

• Support the starter with one hand.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 3/8-inch drive 6-inch extension to loosen the starter mounting bolts.
• If the upper bolt is hard to reach, add the 3/8-inch drive universal joint.
• Remove both starter mounting bolts.
• Pull the starter straight out of the bellhousing and lower it from the vehicle.
• Torque during installation: starter mounting bolts to 44-54 Nm (32-40 ft-lbs)

Step 7: Compare the Old and New Starter

• Place the old and new starters side by side on the ground.
• Confirm the mounting ears, electrical terminals, and starter gear position match.
• Use a work light to inspect the new starter terminals for damage.
• Do not install the new starter if the nose housing or terminals are cracked.

Step 8: Install the New Starter

• Lift the new starter into place by hand.
• Start both mounting bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 3/8-inch drive 6-inch extension to snug the bolts.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range with the 14mm socket to tighten both bolts.
• Torque to 44-54 Nm (32-40 ft-lbs)
• Hand-start bolts every time.

Step 9: Reconnect Starter Wiring

• Place the large battery cable onto the starter terminal.
• Install the terminal nut by hand.
• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket and torque wrench 10-80 ft-lb range to tighten the terminal nut gently.
• Torque to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs)
• Push the small control wire connector onto the solenoid until it clicks.
• Gently tug the connector by hand to confirm it is locked.

Step 10: Reinstall the Lower Splash Shield

• Raise the splash shield into position by hand.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to help align the clip holes if needed.
• Push the plastic clips back into place by hand.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall any splash shield bolts.
• Torque to 5-7 Nm (44-62 in-lbs)

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the front of the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks after the vehicle is fully lowered.

Step 12: Reconnect the Battery

• Apply battery terminal anti-corrosion protectant to the battery post if needed.
• Install the negative battery cable onto the negative battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket to tighten the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Torque to 5-6 Nm (44-53 in-lbs)
• Do not overtighten; the clamp can crack.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start your Altima and listen for normal cranking speed.
• If the starter clicks but does not crank, recheck the battery charge and starter cable connection.
• If the engine cranks normally, let it idle for one minute.
• Check that no warning lights remain on after startup.
• Reset the clock and radio presets if they were lost after battery disconnection.
• Take a short test drive, then restart the engine once more to confirm the repair.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $150-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-2.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.