🔧 Traverse - Starter Motor Replacement

Your Traverse’s starter motor is the electric motor that cranks the engine when you turn the key/start button. Replacement is mostly an “access and unbolt” job, but it’s tight under the engine and you must disconnect the battery to prevent a short at the large starter power cable.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the battery before touching the starter wiring; the large cable is always hot.
• ⚠️ Support your Traverse with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine/exhaust; the starter sits near hot components.
• ⚠️ If your Traverse has Stop/Start with an auxiliary battery, disconnect the negative cable(s) for both batteries.
• ⚠️ Keep the key/fob away from the vehicle while working so it can’t accidentally wake modules.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Ratchet
• Socket set: 8mm, 10mm, 13mm, 15mm
• Wrench set: 10mm, 13mm
• Long extensions set (6" and 12")
• Universal joint swivel adapter (specialty)
• Torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Trim clip remover (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Flashlight

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Starter motor - Qty: 1
• Starter electrical terminal nut kit - Qty: 1
• Dielectric grease - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and make sure the vehicle is fully OFF.
• Disconnect the negative battery cable using a 10mm socket.
• If equipped with an auxiliary battery for Stop/Start, disconnect its negative cable using a 10mm socket as well.
• Plan your access: the starter is easiest from underneath after removing the lower splash shield.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of your Traverse

• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Lift the front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).

Step 2: Remove the lower engine splash shield

• Use a trim clip remover (specialty) and 8mm socket to remove the fasteners holding the lower shield.
• If any clips are stubborn, use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry the center pin up first.

Step 3: Locate the starter motor

• Use a flashlight and look up at the engine/transmission junction (the bellhousing area).
• You’ll see the starter body and the small solenoid on it, with one thick power cable and one smaller control wire.

Step 4: Create working room (variant by drivetrain)

• FWD path: Usually you can proceed directly after the splash shield is off.
• AWD path: If the front prop shaft or brackets limit access, use a 15mm socket and long extensions set (6" and 12") to remove any small access shields/brackets in the way (do not force the starter out).
• Take a quick photo of the area.

Step 5: Disconnect the starter electrical connections

• Remove the protective boot from the large starter terminal by hand.
• Use a 13mm socket to remove the nut for the large battery cable, then pull the cable off the stud.
• Use a 10mm socket (or 10mm wrench) to remove the nut/fastener for the small control wire (solenoid “S” terminal), then remove the wire.
• Apply a thin film of dielectric grease to the terminal boot area before reassembly.

Step 6: Remove the starter mounting bolts

• Support the starter with one hand.
• Use a 15mm socket with long extensions set (6" and 12") to remove the starter mounting bolts.
• If the angle is awkward, add a universal joint swivel adapter (specialty) (this is a pivoting adapter that lets the socket bend around obstacles).

Step 7: Remove the starter

• Wiggle the starter out and down carefully.
• Do not let it hang by any wiring.

Step 8: Install the new starter

• Compare the new starter to the old one (mounting ears, electrical studs, and connector locations) before installing.
• Position the starter and hand-start both mounting bolts to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten the mounting bolts with a 15mm socket, then use a torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range): Torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reconnect the starter wiring

• Install the small control wire first and tighten using a 10mm socket: Torque to 4 Nm (35 in-lbs).
• Install the large battery cable and tighten using a 13mm socket: Torque to 15 Nm (11 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the protective boot fully over the large terminal.

Step 10: Reinstall shields and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall any brackets/shields removed earlier using a 15mm socket.
• Reinstall the lower splash shield using an 8mm socket and trim clip remover (specialty).
• Raise slightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum), remove jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum), and lower to the ground.

Step 11: Reconnect the battery and test

• Reconnect the negative battery cable(s) using a 10mm socket.
• Start the engine and verify the starter cranks strongly with no clicking/grinding.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine 3-5 times and listen for any abnormal starter noise.
• Check that no warning lights remain on; if a light appears, recheck the small control wire connection at the starter.
• Look underneath for any loose shields or dangling wiring near the starter.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $200-$450 (parts only)

You Save: $450-$600 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.

---

🎯 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.