🔧 Altima - Starter Motor Replacement

You’ll remove the old starter motor from the front of the engine/transmission area and install a new one. This restores proper engine cranking when you press the start button.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before touching the starter; it is directly connected to the battery and can cause severe sparks or burns.
• ⚠️ Always support the Altima with jack stands, never only a floor jack. A jack stand is a solid support that holds the car safely in the air.
• ⚠️ Work on level ground with the transmission in Park and parking brake fully set.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust and engine cool completely before working underneath.
• ⚠️ Keep fingers, hair, and clothing away from moving parts when you reconnect the battery and test.

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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), Qty: 2
• 🧰 Wheel chocks
• 🧰 Ratchet handle 3/8"
• 🧰 Socket set metric 8mm–19mm
• 🧰 10mm socket
• 🧰 12mm socket
• 🧰 14mm socket
• 🧰 3/8" drive extensions (3" and 6")
• 🧰 Torque wrench 3/8" drive (5–80 ft-lbs range)
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver medium
• 🧰 Trim clip removal tool
• 🧰 Small wire brush
• 🧰 Work light or flashlight
• 🧰 Mechanic’s gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses
• 🧰 Knee pad or small creeper

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🔩 Starter motor assembly (for 2.5L) - Qty: 1
• 🔩 Starter mounting bolts (optional new hardware) - Qty: 2
• 🔩 Battery terminal cleaning pads - Qty: 1 set
• 🔩 Dielectric grease - Qty: 1 small tube
• 🔩 Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1 small tube
• 🔩 Underbody splash shield clips (replacement) - Qty: 6–10

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park the Altima on level ground, shift to Park, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood using the inside release, then the safety latch at the front edge.
• Turn off all electrical accessories (lights, radio, blower fan) and remove the key fob from the car.
• Wait at least 2–3 minutes after turning the car off before disconnecting the battery so control modules go to sleep.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect the battery

• Lift off the plastic battery cover if equipped by hand or with the flathead screwdriver to release tabs.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to loosen the nut on the negative (-) battery terminal.
• Twist and lift the negative cable off the battery post and move it aside so it cannot spring back.
• Torque on reassembly: Tighten the terminal nut to 6 Nm (53 in-lbs) later.
• Always remove negative cable first, reconnect it last.

Step 2: Raise and support the front of the Altima

• Place the floor jack under the front center jacking point (reinforced area behind the front bumper crossmember).
• Pump the jack until the front wheels are off the ground high enough for you to work underneath.
• Position jack stands under the factory pinch welds or designated support points on each side, then slowly lower the car onto the stands.
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it is stable on the stands.
• Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

Step 3: Remove the lower engine splash shield

• Slide under the front of the Altima with your work light.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove the bolts holding the front lower splash shield.
• Use the trim clip removal tool to gently pry out any plastic push clips. A trim clip tool is a fork-shaped lever for removing plastic fasteners.
• Lower the splash shield and set it aside, keeping track of bolts and clips.

Step 4: Locate the starter motor

• From underneath at the front of the engine, look at the area where the engine meets the transmission.
• The starter is a cylindrical motor bolted to the transmission bellhousing, with a thick cable coming from the battery and a small electrical plug.
• Position your light so you can clearly see both mounting bolts and the wiring connections.

Step 5: Disconnect starter wiring

• Locate the small electrical connector (solenoid plug) on the starter.
• Press the tab on the connector and pull it straight off by hand; if tight, gently help it with the flathead screwdriver.
• Locate the large battery cable attached to a stud on the starter with a nut.
• Use a 12mm socket and ratchet to remove the nut from this stud, then pull the cable eyelet off and set the cable aside.
• Torque on reassembly: Tighten this nut to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs) later.
• Do not let the cable twist or hang by the wire only.

Step 6: Remove starter mounting bolts

• Find the two starter mounting bolts that hold the starter to the transmission housing.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8" ratchet, and suitable extension to loosen and remove the lower bolt first.
• Support the starter body with one hand while you remove the upper bolt using the same 14mm socket and extension.
• Carefully lower the starter out of its opening and remove it from under the car.
• Note bolt length and position as you remove them.

Step 7: Prepare the mounting surface

• Inspect the starter mounting area on the transmission for dirt or corrosion.
• Use the small wire brush to gently clean the contact surfaces where the starter flange sits.
• Wipe the area with a clean rag.
• Apply a very thin film of anti-seize compound on the starter flange where it contacts the transmission (avoid the teeth and openings).
• Thin coating only; too much attracts dirt.

Step 8: Install the new starter motor

• Position the new starter in place, aligning the nose into the opening on the transmission.
• Install the upper mounting bolt by hand first to hold the starter in place.
• Install the lower mounting bolt by hand, making sure both start easily without cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket, ratchet, and extension to snug both bolts evenly.
• Set your torque wrench with a 14mm socket and tighten both starter mounting bolts to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).
• Tighten bolts evenly to keep starter seated flat.

Step 9: Reconnect starter wiring

• Slide the large battery cable eyelet onto the starter stud.
• Thread the nut on by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 12mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the nut to 12 Nm (9 ft-lbs).
• Apply a small dab of dielectric grease to the small connector terminal, then firmly push the connector back onto the starter until it clicks.
• Connector should feel locked, not loose.

Step 10: Reinstall the lower splash shield

• Lift the splash shield back into position under the front of the car.
• Install the bolts by hand first in their original locations.
• Use a 10mm socket and ratchet to snug the bolts—just firm, not over-tightened.
• Reinstall any plastic clips using your fingers or the trim clip removal tool to press them fully into place.

Step 11: Lower the Altima

• Use the floor jack to lift the front of the car slightly to take weight off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands from both sides.
• Slowly lower the car to the ground with the jack.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 12: Reconnect the battery

• If the battery posts or terminal clamps are corroded, clean them with battery terminal cleaning pads or the wire brush.
• Place the negative (-) cable clamp back on the battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the clamp nut to 6 Nm (53 in-lbs), just snug enough that the clamp does not move.
• Reinstall the battery cover by hand.

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✅ After Repair

• Get in the Altima, press the brake pedal, and press the start button. The engine should crank strongly and start quickly.
• Listen for abnormal noises from the starter area (grinding, whine, or repeated clicks). Turn off immediately if you hear anything unusual and recheck mounting and wiring.
• Check the instrument cluster for warning lights. A brief battery or steering light after reconnecting the battery is normal and should clear after driving.
• Inspect under the car for any loose splash shield areas or hanging wires.
• Keep an ear out over next few starts.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $550–$800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $150–$280 (parts only)

You Save: $400–$520 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2–3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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