🔧 Altima - Starter Motor Replacement

Replacing the starter motor means removing the electrical cables and mounting bolts from the starter, then installing a new unit in the same position. On your Altima, the starter is mounted on the engine/transaxle area and is accessed from underneath, so safe lifting is the most important part of the job.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before touching the starter wiring. The starter cable has direct battery power.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool fully before working underneath your Altima.
• ⚠️ Support your Altima with jack stands only. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses. Dirt and rust can fall while working underneath.
• ⚠️ Keep the key fob away from the vehicle while working to prevent accidental electrical wake-up.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch extension set
• Torque wrench 10-80 Nm
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Starter motor - Qty: 1
• Starter mounting bolts - Qty: 2, replace if corroded or damaged
• Electrical terminal protective grease - Qty: 1 small tube

---

📋 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 wait several minutes for the vehicle electronics to go to sleep.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• A jack stand is a fixed support that holds the car safely after lifting. The floor jack is only for lifting, not for holding the vehicle while you work.

---

🔨 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.
• Lift the negative cable off the battery post and move it aside so it cannot spring back.
• Wait at least 3 minutes before touching starter wiring.
• Black cable first, always.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to raise your Altima.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Lightly shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable before getting underneath.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Engine Undercover

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove the plastic push clips from the lower engine undercover.
• Use a 10mm socket to remove any small undercover bolts.
• Lower the undercover and set it aside.
• A push clip is a reusable plastic fastener. Pry the center up first, then remove the whole clip.

Step 4: Locate the Starter Motor

• From underneath, look near the lower engine and CVT transmission bellhousing area.
• The starter is a small cylindrical electric motor with a thick battery cable attached to it.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver only if needed to gently move wiring retainers out of the way.
• Take a phone photo first.

Step 5: Disconnect the Starter Electrical Connectors

• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket to remove the nut holding the large battery cable to the starter terminal.
• Pull the large cable straight off the terminal and move it aside.
• Press the lock tab on the small starter signal connector and unplug it by hand.
• If the connector is tight, use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently depress the lock tab. Do not pry on the wires.
• The signal connector is the small plug that tells the starter when you press the Start button.

Step 6: Remove the Starter Mounting Bolts

• Support the starter with one hand before removing the final bolt.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch ratchet, and 3/8-inch extension set to remove the starter mounting bolts.
• Remove the lower bolt first, then the upper bolt.
• Carefully lower the starter out of the vehicle.
• It is heavier than it looks.

Step 7: Compare the Old and New Starter

• Place the old and new starter motors side by side.
• Confirm the mounting ears, electrical terminals, and starter gear location match.
• Do not install the new starter if the terminals or mounting points are different.

Step 8: Install the New Starter Motor

• Lift the new starter into position by hand.
• Start both mounting bolts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch ratchet, and 3/8-inch extension set to snug the bolts evenly.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 Nm to tighten the starter mounting bolts to Torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reconnect the Starter Wiring

• Push the small starter signal connector onto the starter until it clicks.
• Apply a small amount of electrical terminal protective grease to the large starter terminal area.
• Install the large battery cable onto the starter terminal.
• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket to tighten the terminal nut.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 Nm to tighten the starter terminal nut to Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).
• Make sure the rubber protective boot fully covers the large terminal.

Step 10: Reinstall the Lower Engine Undercover

• Raise the undercover into position by hand.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to reinstall the plastic push clips.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the undercover bolts.
• Use a torque wrench 10-80 Nm to tighten small undercover bolts to Torque to 5 Nm (44 in-lbs).

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower your Altima slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks.

Step 12: Reconnect the Battery

• Place the negative battery cable back onto the battery post.
• Use a 10mm socket to tighten the clamp until secure.
• Do not overtighten the battery clamp. It only needs to be snug.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start your Altima and listen for a clean, normal crank sound.
• If the engine does not crank, recheck the negative battery cable and both starter electrical connections.
• Check that no warning lights remain on after the engine starts.
• Turn the engine off and restart it 2-3 times to confirm consistent starter operation.
• Reset the clock, radio presets, and auto window function if needed after the battery disconnect.
• For auto window reset, hold the driver window switch down until fully open, then hold it up until fully closed and keep holding for 2 seconds.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $180-$420 (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.