🔧 Regal - Starter Motor Replacement

The starter motor spins the engine so it can start. If it’s failing, you may hear a single click, slow cranking, or no crank at all. On your Regal, the starter is bolted to the transmission bellhousing and is typically accessed from underneath.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5-3.0 hours

Assumption: Stock intake/undertray; access is from below.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the battery negative cable before touching the starter wiring (prevents shorts and burns).
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands on solid, level ground; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust cool completely; the starter sits near hot exhaust parts.
• ⚠️ Keep the key fob away from the car while working so it can’t accidentally crank.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 10mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3/8" torque wrench (10-100 Nm range)
• 6" extension
• 12" extension
• Swivel socket adapter
• Flat trim tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Small wire brush
• Work light

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Starter motor - Qty: 1
• Battery terminal grease - Qty: 1
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• 🔋 Open the hood and disconnect the battery negative cable using a 10mm socket; move it aside so it can’t spring back.
• 💡 Set up a work light under the front of the car so you can clearly see the starter.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the car

• Use a floor jack to lift the front at the proper front jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the front support points and lower the car onto them.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before you get underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower splash shield (undertray)

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the bolts.
• Use a flat trim tool to pop any plastic clips (a trim tool is a flat pry tool that helps remove clips without breaking them).
• Set all hardware aside in a tray so nothing gets lost.

Step 3: Locate the starter motor

• From underneath, look where the engine meets the transmission (the “bellhousing,” which is the housing where the transmission bolts to the engine).
• The starter is a small motor with a thicker battery cable going to it.

Step 4: Disconnect the starter wiring

• Remove the small connector (starter solenoid trigger wire) by releasing the lock tab using needle-nose pliers as needed, then pull straight off.
• Remove the nut holding the main battery cable to the starter using a 13mm socket.
• Pull the cable off and tuck it safely aside.
• Apply a tiny amount of dielectric grease to the small connector seal during reassembly. Helps prevent moisture problems.

Step 5: Remove the starter mounting bolts

• Support the starter with one hand while removing bolts with the other.
• Use a 15mm socket with a 6" extension and swivel socket adapter if access is tight.
• Remove the starter mounting bolts and keep them for reuse unless your new starter includes replacements.

Step 6: Remove the starter

• Carefully lower the starter out of the bellhousing area.
• If it hangs up, rotate it slowly to clear nearby brackets/lines—don’t force it.

Step 7: Prep the mounting surface

• Use a small wire brush to clean the starter mounting area on the transmission/engine.
• This helps the starter sit flat and helps grounding (the starter grounds through its mounting).

Step 8: Install the new starter

• Position the new starter in place by hand.
• Start the mounting bolts by hand first (prevents cross-threading).
• Tighten with a 15mm socket, then final-tighten with a torque wrench: Torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reconnect the starter wiring

• Install the main battery cable onto the starter terminal using a 13mm socket: Torque to 13 Nm (115 in-lbs).
• Reconnect the small solenoid connector until it clicks into place.
• Double-check both connections are fully seated and routed away from exhaust/rotating parts.

Step 10: Reinstall the undertray and lower the car

• Reinstall the splash shield using the 10mm socket and flat trim tool for clips.
• Lift slightly with the floor jack, remove jack stands, and lower the car.

Step 11: Reconnect the battery

• Reconnect the battery negative cable using a 10mm socket.
• Apply a light coat of battery terminal grease to reduce corrosion.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔑 Start the engine and listen: cranking should be strong and smooth.
• 🔍 Check under the hood and underneath for any loose tools, dangling wires, or rubbing cables.
• 🛑 If you hear grinding or the starter stays engaged after starting, shut the engine off immediately and recheck mounting and wiring.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.5-3.0 hours.

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