🔧 Kicks - Starter Motor Replacement

Replacing the starter motor on your Kicks means removing the old electric motor that cranks the engine and installing a new one. A failing starter can cause a single click, slow cranking, intermittent no-start, or no crank at all.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Disconnect the negative battery cable before touching the starter. The starter has a direct battery power cable and can spark heavily if shorted.
• ⚠️ Work only on a cool engine. The starter area is near hot exhaust and engine parts.
• ⚠️ Support your Kicks securely with jack stands if you raise the front. Never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep metal tools away from the positive battery terminal and starter power cable.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses because dirt and debris can fall while working underneath.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

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

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Kicks on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood and let the engine cool fully.
• Write down any radio presets if needed. Disconnecting the battery may reset some settings.
• The starter motor is mounted low on the transmission side of the engine. Access is usually easiest from underneath after removing the lower splash shield.
• A torque wrench is a tool that tightens bolts to a measured tightness so they are not too loose or too tight.
• A universal joint is a small swivel adapter that helps your socket reach bolts at an angle.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Disconnect the Battery

• Use a 10mm wrench to loosen the negative battery terminal clamp.
• Remove the negative cable from the battery and move it aside so it cannot spring back onto the terminal.
• Wait at least 2 minutes before working near the starter wiring.
• Tip: Negative cable comes off first.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to lift the front of your Kicks at the front center lift point.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the proper front support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands and give the vehicle a light shake to verify it is stable.
• Keep the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Lower Engine Splash Shield

• Put on safety glasses before working under the vehicle.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the splash shield bolts.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or flathead screwdriver to remove any plastic retaining clips.
• Lower the splash shield and set it aside.
• Tip: Keep clips grouped by location.

Step 4: Locate the Starter Motor

• Use a shop light to look near the lower engine and transmission bellhousing area.
• Identify the starter by its small cylindrical motor shape and the thick battery cable attached to it.
• The bellhousing is the rounded transmission case area where the engine and transmission meet.

Step 5: Label and Disconnect Starter Wiring

• Use a flathead screwdriver to gently release the small starter signal wire connector lock, then unplug it.
• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket with the 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the nut from the large starter battery cable terminal.
• Pull the large cable off the starter terminal and move it aside.
• Do not let the starter battery cable touch metal parts, even with the battery disconnected.
• Torque on installation: starter battery cable nut to about 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the Starter Mounting Bolts

• Support the starter with one hand before removing the last bolt. It is heavier than it looks.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch ratchet, 3/8-inch extension set, and 3/8-inch universal joint to remove the starter mounting bolts.
• Remove the lower bolt first, then the upper bolt.
• If a bolt is tight, keep steady pressure on the ratchet. Do not jerk the tool.

Step 7: Remove the Old Starter

• Carefully slide the starter out of the transmission bellhousing opening.
• Lower it out through the bottom of the engine bay.
• Compare the old starter with the new starter. The mounting ears, electrical terminals, and gear nose should match.
• Tip: Match parts before installation.

Step 8: Install the New Starter

• Lift the new starter into position by hand and align it with the transmission bellhousing.
• Start both mounting bolts by hand first. This prevents cross-threading, which means damaging the bolt threads by starting them crooked.
• Use a 14mm socket, 3/8-inch extension set, and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the bolts evenly.
• Use a torque wrench rated 10-80 Nm and 14mm socket to tighten the starter mounting bolts.
• Torque starter mounting bolts to 49-59 Nm (36-44 ft-lbs)

Step 9: Reconnect Starter Wiring

• Install the large battery cable onto the starter terminal.
• Use a 12mm socket or 13mm socket with the torque wrench rated 10-80 Nm to tighten the terminal nut.
• Torque starter battery cable nut to 9-12 Nm (80-106 in-lbs)
• Plug in the small starter signal wire connector until it clicks.
• Make sure both wires are routed away from moving parts and exhaust heat.

Step 10: Reinstall the Lower Engine Splash Shield

• Raise the splash shield into place by hand.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or your fingers to reinstall the plastic clips.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to reinstall the splash shield bolts.
• Torque small splash shield bolts snug only, about 5-7 Nm (44-62 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 Kicks slowly to the ground.

Step 12: Reconnect the Battery

• Use a 10mm wrench to reconnect the negative battery cable.
• Tighten the terminal clamp until it does not move by hand.
• Apply battery terminal protectant to the terminal after it is tight.
• Torque battery terminal nut to about 5-6 Nm (44-53 in-lbs)

---

✅ After Repair

• Start your Kicks. The engine should crank strongly and start normally.
• Listen for grinding, clicking, or a starter that stays engaged after the engine starts. Shut the engine off immediately if this happens.
• Check that the battery warning light turns off after startup.
• Verify the clock, radio presets, and driver settings after reconnecting the battery.
• If the starter still only clicks or does not crank, test the battery condition and battery cable connections before replacing more parts.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$750 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $160-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $290-$400 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.