🔧 Altima - Starter Motor Replacement

Replacing the starter motor on your Altima means removing the failed starter from the transaxle bellhousing area and installing a new one. The starter is mounted low on the front/driver-side area of the V6 engine, so access is easiest from underneath after removing the splash shield.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable first. The starter has a large always-hot power cable that can spark badly if touched to metal.
• ⚠️ Let the engine and exhaust cool before working underneath.
• ⚠️ Support your Altima with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held only by a jack.
• ⚠️ The starter is heavier than it looks. Keep one hand supporting it when removing the last bolt.
• ⚠️ Keep the key fob away from the vehicle while working so the push-button start system cannot be activated accidentally.

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🔧 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 adapter
• Torque wrench rated 10-100 ft-lbs
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses
• Battery terminal brush

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Starter motor - Qty: 1
• Starter mounting bolts - Qty: 2, if damaged or corroded
• Battery terminal protector spray - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Wheel chocks are wedges that stop the vehicle from rolling.
• Open the hood and remove the key fob from the vehicle area.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket, then move the cable aside so it cannot touch the battery post.
• Wait at least 3 minutes after disconnecting the battery before working near main electrical cables.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to lift the front of your Altima.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the front pinch weld support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands and shake the vehicle lightly to confirm it is stable.
• Never trust the jack alone.

Step 2: Remove the Lower Engine Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses before working underneath.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic push clips from the lower splash shield.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the splash shield bolts.
• Lower the splash shield and set it aside.

Step 3: Locate the Starter Motor

• From underneath, look at the front side of the engine where it meets the CVT transmission.
• The starter motor is a small cylinder-shaped electric motor bolted to the transmission bellhousing.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver only if needed to gently move wiring retainers out of the way.

Step 4: Disconnect the Starter Electrical Connectors

• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket, depending on the replacement style terminal nut, to remove the nut from the large starter battery cable.
• Pull the large cable straight off the starter terminal and position it away from metal parts.
• Press the locking tab on the small starter signal connector and unplug it by hand.
• If the connector is stuck, use a flat-blade screwdriver gently at the lock tab only.
• Do not pull on the wires.

Step 5: 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 two starter mounting bolts.
• If access is tight, use the 3/8-inch drive universal joint adapter. A universal joint adapter lets the socket turn at an angle.
• Remove the lower bolt first, then remove the upper bolt while holding the starter.

Step 6: Remove the Old Starter

• Slide the starter straight out of the bellhousing opening.
• Lower it carefully through the bottom of the engine bay.
• Compare the old starter to the new starter motor before installation.
• Make sure the mounting ears, electrical terminals, and gear nose match.

Step 7: Install the New Starter

• Raise the new starter motor into position by hand.
• Start both mounting bolts by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means damaging the threads by forcing the bolt in crooked.
• Use the 14mm socket, 3/8-inch drive ratchet, and 3/8-inch drive 6-inch extension to snug both bolts evenly.
• Use the torque wrench rated 10-100 ft-lbs and 14mm socket to tighten the starter mounting bolts to Torque to 49 Nm (36 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect the Starter Wiring

• Plug in the small starter signal connector by hand until it clicks.
• Install the large battery cable onto the starter terminal.
• Use the 12mm socket or 13mm socket and torque wrench rated 10-100 ft-lbs to tighten the starter terminal nut to Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).
• Make sure the rubber protective boot fully covers the large starter terminal.
• Loose starter cables cause no-start problems.

Step 9: Reinstall the Lower Splash Shield

• Lift the lower splash shield into place.
• Use the 10mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to reinstall the splash shield bolts snugly.
• Use the trim clip removal tool or your fingers to reinstall the plastic push clips.

Step 10: Lower the Vehicle and Reconnect the Battery

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima slowly to the ground.
• Clean the battery terminal with the battery terminal brush.
• Reconnect the negative battery cable using the 10mm socket.
• Apply battery terminal protector spray to the terminal after it is tight.
• Battery terminal nut: Torque to 5 Nm (44 in-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Start your Altima and listen for a clean, strong crank with no grinding noise.
• If the starter clicks but does not crank, recheck the large starter cable and battery terminals.
• Let the engine idle for a few minutes because idle behavior may briefly relearn after battery disconnect.
• Reset the clock and any one-touch window auto-up function if needed.
• For window reset, fully close the window and hold the switch up for about 3 seconds.
• Check under the vehicle to confirm the splash shield is secure and no wiring is hanging loose.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550-$850 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $180-$420 (parts only)

You Save: $370-$430 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.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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