2003 Ford F150 Starter Motor Replacement

[@ToddRichards-Omaha]

Just replaced my starter on my 2003 F150. Not as bad as expected, but even easier with this video. Thank you!

[@thomasfixit7931]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@David-gw4eq]

Thank you Sir. I appreciate you keeping it real. Not clean shirts with clean hands in a fancy garage. Very informative. Give yourself a pat on the back.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Thanks! I appreciate it! The videos might help someone

[@carlovincetti4538]

You working on the grass with no jack stand is insane!

[@thomasfixit7931]

Look at 10:08 there is a jack stand. Safety first! =)

[@nightowl19741]

Agreed. I have a 150 stuck on the grass and am too afraid to jack it up there.

[@oemtech]

Just watching your video at work and you have given me confidence in tackling this job. Had so many people saying it is a bear, thank you for this video!

[@thomasfixit7931]

Thanks for watching! If you do it with hand tools and on the ground like I did, give yourself a couple hours to complete the job. How many miles does your truck have? I was impressed the starter lasted this long.

[@oemtech]

mine is a baby compared to yours, 01 F150 Crew Lariat with the 5.4, has off-road and tow package. Approx 150k, took it off the road a while ago due to rockers and I am in process of getting her back. Sat long enough that starter is hung up, battery terminals shot too. That is another project, need you to do a video on that, lol

[@jamesclark9426]

0

[@cammyrblx90]

Just did this on my 4.6 tonight. Thanks for the video. Using tape to hold the top bolt to the socket helped. This was one of the worst parts swaps I've done. No room to move in there. That top bolt is just stabbing in the dark.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome! Glad you got yours fixed!

[@billaa49]

easiest video i've seen do this, thanks. Feel free to reach out for anything any time in the future that I can help with since you helped me out so much.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Glad to hear it helped! How many miles does your truck have?

[@billaa49]

@@thomasfixit7931 i think i've got 160,000 on it but there's so much crud around the starter that the top bolt is going to be a pain. I got the side bolt out though with the extensions and went back and bought a 18" extension and a ujoint instead so going to try that today

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@billaa49 hope you got it complete.

[@billaa49]

@@thomasfixit7931 hey Thomas yeah I got it done the other day with that extension but I actually just used a ratchet and like a 8" or 6" extension to just go past the starter and I converted the 3/8" drive to 1/2" drive for a little bit extra extension and more torque and just cleaned around the starter so I could find the bolt with my hands and the bolt came right out :)

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@billaa49 Nice work! Good job! Saved hundreds!

[@aceman2224]

Thanks for the video. That top bolt was a bit rough. Reinstall was a breeze. 265k still going strong.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome! Glad you got it fixed! Hope you make it to 300k with no more problems!

[@mrnicegary2251]

That extension,swivel,socket is what I used, but I used electrical tape on the swivel adapter joints to keep the 13mm socket from flopping around

[@thomasfixit7931]

Sounds good! Whatever gets it done!

[@nativeone1657]

I will be replacing my starter too..this will help me..thanks.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome!

[@pauld7309]

Good video. I was surprised when i found out my 03 F 150 lug nuts torque was 150 ft lbs. That's crazy.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Thanks! It is up there on the torque specs

[@missyconway9265]

you made it look easy, that starter is a tough one

[@thomasfixit7931]

Ford just doesn't give you much room to work, so it just takes time to wrench off each bolt with hand tools. That job takes a few hours working off the ground with and a floor jack and jack stands.

[@missyconway9265]

I went to get mine out. It only had 2 of the 3 bolts. IDK if the one in there was factory or not but i'm suprised there wasn't an issue with the flywheel. The one i pulled out said Visteon, not sure if that was the original. Have to go to junk yard for one extra bolt. :(. Thanks for the great video.

[@thomasfixit7931]

You are welcome. Sounds like the original starter. How many miles do you have on the truck?

[@missyconway9265]

105,000. got the new on. fired right up. It didn't have the top bolt, only 2 were there. If it ran all this time with only 2, I guess I won't be concerned

[@thomasfixit7931]

I'm glad you got it fixed.

[@wittydisplayname1761]

I just did my 1998 F150 and had to use a breaker bar on the top two bolts. I was lucky I did not break them. While putting the bolts back in I noticed holes where the end of the bolts poke through. I think you could apply some penetrating oil on the ends.

[@thomasfixit7931]

You could, that would help

[@THEGAME-tz6yu]

Thanks..best video on this install.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome! Thanks for the comment! Glad to hear it helped!

[@TheJavierTrejo]

1) How long of an extension is that? 2) what was the part number for that starter?

[@thomasfixit7931]

20" extension part #6646S

[@NOCTRL210]

Ty for your video man.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome! Glad I could help!

[@PyrrhusVictorian]

I’m finding 3 different wires. A small one with a bent end. One with a claw like attachment. And one that is two wires joined it a flat attachment.

[@StationaryNomad361]

Thank you! This was so helpful!!

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome! Glad it helped!

[@donvnielsen]

Like a boss! Take the effort removing the tire to make it easier in the future to access the bolts. Smart.

[@thomasfixit7931]

I hope the video helped!

[@donvnielsen]

@@thomasfixit7931 it's Wisconsin, 54" snow, inch of ice on driveway, and e150 is such I can't raise it. A pro will have to do it. Thankfully, rapping on solenoid with hammer allowed it to start. But thanks for the video.

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@donvnielsen You're welcome! Sucks when mother nature stops the work.

[@joescleanpools01]

This guy is good!

[@thomasfixit7931]

Thanks!

[@blazewood3931]

These videos always pulling out soemthing everybody won't have 😂

[@thomasfixit7931]

Mine is a 4.6L 2003 Ford F150

[@Junkboy888]

Looks like I'll be doing this, this weekend lol.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Doesn't sound like a fun weekend. Hope it is easy for you.

[@MacAutoDiag]

How did it go?

[@jamesrichardson771]

Should've put some antiseize on those bolts ... They'll go back in much easier, not to mention, for the guy who does this again in the future.. 🔧

[@thomasfixit7931]

I could have, but I don't plan to do it again. =) I'm original owner and will drive it until it rusts out.

[@BrianDoolittleAustin]

Thanks man

[@thomasfixit7931]

You're welcome!

[@michaeleverett2650]

For some reason everything in this video where the starter is located into the bellhousing and where the engine is located appears to be backwards compared to when I look at mine through the wheel well.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Is your truck a 4.6L 2003 F150?

[@michaeleverett2650]

@@thomasfixit7931 yes it is a 2003 4.6 F-150 2wd, I know it's crowded in there with the exhaust pipe the frame and the engine, it makes it a little harder to see clearly.

[@dennismorrow38]

About to replace mine tomorrow. Do u still drive this truck?

[@thomasfixit7931]

Hope you get it done! Yes I still drive it.

[@paulgeorgia5497]

Thanks for the video. When I tackled mine, one of the mounting bolts was missing??? Also, there were thin washers on both of the bolts. Was that someone trying to shim it? I'm confused.

[@thomasfixit7931]

Did you buy your truck used? Someone could have done that.

[@bobbycleveland8840]

Thank you sir l learsomthing

[@thomasfixit7931]

Welcome! Glad it helped!

[@julianz.3494]

Like & shared... It helps a lot

[@thomasfixit7931]

Thanks!

[@propabilityfpv303]

Did mine in the parking lot now jack no tire removal

[@thomasfixit7931]

Nice work.

[@chriss4365]

This looks nothing like my starter let me guess either the 4.2 or 5.4 engine.

[@thomasfixit7931]

This is a 4.6L 2WD regular cab

[@chriss4365]

@@thomasfixit7931 How I have the 4.6 my starter looks totally different.

[@harveywilson9003]

Why will no one show a 2004-4.6 V8, everything is 5.4 or 5.6, i have a F150-V8 4.6, this dose not hellp

[@thomasfixit7931]

This is a 2003 4.6L V8.

[@harveywilson9003]

@@thomasfixit7931 thank you that helped a whole lot I appreciate it

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@harveywilson9003 Welcome

[@Bey11ktb]

My zx2 has some type of attachment to the starter that I can’t get off at all

[@thomasfixit7931]

Not sure what you are referring to. Not just 3 bolts and the power cable?

[@mrstl3000]

Do need a deep well 13mil socket

[@thomasfixit7931]

For what?

[@mrstl3000]

@@thomasfixit7931 to get starter off

[@MacAutoDiag]

Yes

[@ElPatriotaCubano-c8g]

🇨🇺🤠👍

[@kevinszarell631]

Just replaced my starter on my 63 F350 I must say it was much easier than this.

[@thomasfixit7931]

I think back then Ford gave you more room to work. =)

[@kevinszarell631]

@@thomasfixit7931 yes sir you can definitely tell the difference. Tackling this job on my buddies 03 worst part is I already replaced the exhaust manifold on that side would have been easy with that manifold out

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@kevinszarell631 I have to replace my exhaust manifold soon. Could you get the nuts off or did you need a torch?

[@kevinszarell631]

@@thomasfixit7931 I had to replace the nuts and studs the were all completely rotted out. The way I did it was cut a flat spot on both sides of the nut used a pair of small vice grips clamped on and tapped it with a hammer five came out that way the other three the nuts broke off which is awesome if you can get that to happen just dremmel the stud flat on each side and vice gripped it again they came out easy that way. I'm not sure if there is a more efficient way but that way worked awesome for me once I got the rhythm of it I had it out quick hope that is of some help. If you are around the Cleveland area you are more than welcome to pop by my garage we could have it out in no time!

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@kevinszarell631 I appreciate the info. I'm in VA, check out my fishing channel if you like fishing. I wish I had a garage to work in. I worked in a shop for a few years when I was younger, it was much easier to work on stuff when I had access to a lift.

[@lamontmoore190]

Jacked up on the grass…. I can’t get past 60 seconds 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@mattshredzinski1473]

Why? As a 15yr mobile mechanic I have to jack up on grass everyday lol gotta do what ya gotta do

[@jamesrichardson771]

Antiseize " steel bolts, going into aluminum .. 🙄

[@thomasfixit7931]

Next time, but won't be a next time. =)

[@rokitman5753]

Henrys revenge 😂 no fords for me

[@thomasfixit7931]

lol

[@indykurt]

Here is what I had to do, take the 2 easy ones out, pry the damn thing off, breaking the ear on the starter. remove the last bolt and remaining piece, tape a small socket & 6 inch extension to the top of the new starter with the bolt partly in the hole, set the new starter up and attach ratchet to extension and run it in. That was my plan and should work for 99% of you. for me I was vindicated when the starter wouldn't slide into place because the extension was hitting the bolt that held the motor mount. There was NO way you can remove my starter without removing the motor mount!!! I only have 2 bolts in place, if that doesn't work out then I will have to buy a new starter, lift the motor then remove the motor mounts. maybe the mount is worn out... but is measures the same as the other side. Fk Ford!

[@thomasfixit7931]

What year and model is your F150?

[@indykurt]

@@thomasfixit7931 2005, 4.6

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@indykurt Mine is a 2 door, 8 foot bed, rear wheel drive, 4.6L. I didn't have to remove a motor mount.

[@indykurt]

@@thomasfixit7931 My mount could be wore out. It has 190K miles

[@thomasfixit7931]

@@indykurt Good news is hopefully your truck has many miles of life left, at the time of making this video mine had 276k miles.

[@grant9047]

Can’t see bad video no light when putting wires on

[@thomasfixit7931]

Sorry man it didn't help you, but it has helped many others.

[@mauricemcgary10]

out 19 min in 18 min

[@thomasfixit7931]

You got it out and back in pretty quick.

[@albertmartino1535]

It sucked if you don’t have the hands of a second grader

[@pro1performancellc]

20 min job

[@thomasfixit7931]

If everything goes smooth, I can agree with that.

[@MacAutoDiag]

20 min my foot

[@mic9612]

This is almost worse than a Ford focus hatch

[@thomasfixit7931]

I rather work on a truck than a car. LOL!