Acura TL Starter Replacement with Basic Hand Tools HD

[@ericbeyn5757]

First off, thank you for posting this video. I wouldn't have been able to change the starter in my 2004 Acura TL without it. Second, I wanted to let other people out there that might need to change their starter: You can absolutely do this without lifting the car. I had a hard time understanding where the two bolts under the battery plate were located, so I stuck my phone's camera down the side and under the plate and faced it towards the drivers side of the car. I was able to see they are about 6-8 inches apart and run parallel to the ground (as opposed to the top four battery plate bolts that are perpendicular to the ground) Once I had an understanding of where the bolts were located, I was able to stick my arm all the way under the plate and unscrew them with my 12mm socket wrench, no extension or anything required. I do have pretty long arms, so you may need a 4 inch extender or so. Other than getting the battery plate off the installation was a breeze. I did need a breaker bar like shown in the video. Thanks for posting this video!

[@rodriarambulo]

Eric Beyn thanks for the tip

[@reyc.3768]

Yup jus did it myself, just wear long sleeves if you don’t wanna get scratched up cause they’re tough

[@fernandoespinoza1870]

Thank you! for the tutorial, very straight forward. Took me about 1hour to replace. Shops in the Bay Area CA, wanted to charge me $400.-$475. When the part was only $190.00. brand new with a $20.00 core return. Saved me $200.00-$275.00.

[@Boadhion2wheels]

Great how-to video. One suggestion I'd like to make that I did when replacing my starter a couple years back......Once you get the battery tray out, get your Dremel and cut a slot into the spot where that almost impossible to get at bottom bolt goes. Then you can go ahead and get that bolt started before you put the tray back in. It makes the reinstall MUCH easier.

[@PCGoblin]

Thank you very much! You saved me a bunch of money and time. Thanks to you I was able to fix my car in the parking lot of Auto Zone where it conveniently died.

[@CarsNToys]

Good stuff!

[@JEFF2010SSRS]

If anyone thinks the 2 starter bolts are hard to get off. Try replacing the Timing belt. I had to spray lube for 3 days on the crank bolt and use a 6 Foot pipe as a breaker bar. Saved $1200 vs. Acura. Awesome Video. Thanks.

[@sebass9578]

Dude I still can’t get the timing belt replaced

[@savannah2649]

he makes getting the bolt off the battery tray looks so easy i spent about an hour trying to get that thing off😤 very helpful video though 👏🏼

[@wx3hweather]

Awesome video and extremely helpful. I got my starter for my 06 tl at advanced auto parts by purchasing online and using in-store pickup, which allowed me to use a $40 off $100 purchase coupon. All-told, the starter cost me about $90, and since I put it in myself, $0 for labor. Not bad when the dealer or any other garage would charge about 4 or 5 times that!! I've replaced starters in other cars, and honestly this is the easiest one I've ever changed, everything accessible from the top, did the whole job in about an hour and a half (taking my time), and didn't even get my cloths dirty!! By the way, I was able to access, remove, and replace the 2 hidden bolts under the battery tray from up top...you just have to stick your hand down under the side of the tray, and reach all the way over to get to the bolts (obviously I wasn't able to see what I was doing, I just had to feel my way around under the tray)...then use a very small ratchet that will fit in that small space to remove the bolts. I was lucky because these 2 bolts weren't that hard to back off...but I guess if they were on there really really tight, I probably would have had to remove them from the bottom so that I could get more leverage. Again, great video...thanks so much!!

[@CarsNToys]

+wx3hweather Good stuff man. Glad to help.

[@amitdpatel01]

Thank you for this video. Wouldnt have been able to do this without it. I only have one suggestion to anyone who does this. For whatever reason, they put that one bolt underneath the battery holder which is why you have to do that very difficult task of taking the bottom off. Well after doing this, I was not seeing a way to get to that bolt. I actually ended up being able to get that bolt out from the top by getting the wrench underneath the battery holder. Obviously this is much easier and faster, not to mention less work. I think it would be easy to put back after the starter is changed but I didnt bother. It seemed like overkill with 4 other bolts already tightened. Just an fyi for anyone else doing this. Thanks again for this video.

[@CarsNToys]

amitdpatel01 Yeah, that bolt is a not fun getting to. Glad it worked out.

[@conroyvaughan9896]

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[@johnsteele8073]

Beat me to it. I took my battery tray from 08tl out never needed to get at it from the bottom.

[@abodao]

Thanks from that GREAT, time saving, tip.

[@dtruong611]

This video very helpful to me...I able to fix my friend 2005 Acura TL starter replacement, starter cost only $114 at local auto parts story. If I bring to a local auto repair shop they charge around $300 part and labor. I am doing it myself...big saving.

[@ElectronicTonic156]

Thank you for this extremely helpful how-to video. My 2006 TL's starter went dead on Monday. I dreaded the thought of having it towed to a garage if it had an obvious problem with an obvious solution. So on Tuesday, I got a new starter from the local car parts store, and spent the morning simply following the steps in the video. I'm not much of a mechanic, so it was helpful to see what I would be getting myself into before trying to replace the starter. Thank you again! BTW, once I got the old starter out, I tested it, and it worked fine. My guess is there was either an intermittent electrical connection inside the motor or relay, or the relay contacts had been temporarily stuck in the open position. No matter. Will still take the old one back to the store for the extra cash back.

[@CarsNToys]

Eric Wasatonic Good stuff. Glad it worked out. I have a video showing on how to test the relay for the TL. Just search under my page. Cheers.

[@trankt54155]

That is the beauty with replacing the Acura TL starter.....it is so accessible and you can see it immediately when you look down the engine bay. It is quicker and easier than replacing a starter in the Honda Accord-----its cousin. Thanks for an excellent video.

[@arthurgoldberg1963]

Thank you for the video! I just changed the starter in my 2004 TL, and this helped. Some comments, as you noted without doubt the hardest part of the job was removing the 2 rather hidden bolts for the battery shelf. The bolt from the bottom as you showed I was able to use several "wobble" extension from Harbor Freight to allow using a socket with a ratchet from under the car. I did remove the front plastic as described in the video. That really wasn't needed, it really needed, and only needed the rear plastic cover. For the second bolt under the battery shelf I couldn't use the method you showed, and it appeared I had far less clearance than you did. Again, I was able to use a socket with a ratchet with several "wobble" extensions. Putting that bolt back was even more challenging - I ended up using the same extensions, and used a small piece of scotch tape to tape the washer on the bolt to the socket. Since it was at a bit of an angle due to obstructions it was extremely difficult to initially get threaded properly. Since I didn't have a lift I wasted at least an hour trying to figure out how to get the starter out without getting under the car. Finally I just jacked it up and used a jack stand in addition for safety. Note also that you will need to get the jack out of the trunk before you begin. Once the battery is out you can't open the trunk, I ended up using the jack from another car (MDX). All told it took about 7 hours! Actually changing the starter itself was probably about an hour to an hour and a half, even fighting with the extremely tight lower bolt. The rest of the time was all the disassembly and reassembly and contortions to get the battery shelf out. If Acura had designed this better it would have been less than a 2 hour job. All they would have needed to do is add bolt to the battery shelf holding it to the support instead of the weld. Also as others have noted, the starter was intermittent. It would click but not crank, especially after sitting. Eventually it did crank, but I only used it like that for a day and a half, and it did seem to be rapidly getting worse. I suspect that either the brushes were worn or a burned spot on the commutator.

[@CarsNToys]

+Arthur Goldberg Good stuff man. Glad you succeeded. cheers.

[@lawrencelwww]

Nice how-to. Was able to get mine changed out in less than two hours since I knew what to expect. The battery tray was tough, but not too bad. I used a long extension with a U joint on the end to get the lower rear bolt from the top instead of going from below. Thanks for posting!

[@CarsNToys]

Awesome. Glad to help. Cheers

[@caseygarr13]

Thanks for the video! I’m not a mechanic at all and I was able to replace my starter without having to pay someone to do it.

[@colep68]

Thank you so much for this video. I would not have had the confidence to undertake this without it. I was able to get my starter out in less than an hour with minimal frustration. Like a few other commenters, I was able to get the bottom bolts out from above, using a socket extension. It was the most difficult part of the removal but I have to think it would be harder to do from under the car. Wish me luck with installing the new starter, hopefully it's just as easy to do the steps in reverse!

[@CarsNToys]

Good stuff man. By far the hardest part is the battery bracket.

[@Gregandtracey]

Thanks so much for making this video. Replaced my son’s starter with no issues thanks to you!

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help.

[@aznnp77]

Thanks for the video. A friend asked me to replace his starter for him today and I was a little nervous because I've never replaced one before. I guess someone had replaced it before because the front lower bolt was missing. That pesky rear bolt I was able to access without taking off the lower splash guard as well because the bolt wasn't tightened too tightly. A favor from the previous mechanic I guess. I repaid the favor to the next person. I couldn't even see where that bolt was from under the car though, so I'm glad I didn't have to access it that way. I believe I did a 2009 or something. It was slightly different. The starter was mounted on the front, not the side, and there was a gasket. A gasket on a starter? Took me about 2.5 hours because I dropped a socket and had to find it. It's not that hard of a job, and I'm glad I tackled it.

[@CarsNToys]

Awesome!

[@nl6113]

Great video. Thanks for telling the bolt sizes, made the job so much easier. You can get the bottom battery plate bolts off from the top of the car too with a wrench extension ( nobody wants to take off that plastic thing). You can get to one of the bolts by taking off the top 1/2 of the air intake tube by removing the cap (clipped on) and pulling tube off. The bottom 17 mm bolt on my starter was the only problem I ran into. Had to have my brother-in-law get it off for me.... I couldn’t get it to budge....arrggg! Quick easy job aside from that :)

[@CarsNToys]

Glad it worked out!

[@jmkb-06]

Thank you SO much for this video!! We followed your instructions and we had absolute success in installing this starter. Much, much appreciated!

[@rlh0726]

Awesome job, Thank you!!! Did it myself and including a trip to Sears (ratchet wrench) and auto parts store, it took me 2 1/2 hours. And, yes, the two bolts below the battery tray are a Bi--h! But, it saved me over $500.

[@CarsNToys]

Good stuff!

[@wdouglassampson3625]

Thanks so much for this video. Agree with others, you can access that pain bolt under the battery holder with a wrench without going from bottom. Otherwise, awesome video & help

[@mitchellrobinson5549]

Starter removed and replaced, video was a big help. Thanks for your instructions and time

[@CarsNToys]

Awesome! Glad to help.

[@Leo_2012]

Great video.... keep putting more videos of Acura Tl.

[@CarsNToys]

Alfredo Gomez Will have an axle and spark plug video shortly.

[@Iram_Deum]

Thanks for the video brother. Just swapped out mine. Car started once everything was plugged back in.

[@CarsNToys]

Good stuff!

[@sophiareese79]

2:05 lol i like how he said this happens to be as if they choose random sizes for each car😂

[@524enaud]

thanks for the vid. I got the battery tray out from the top. 3 inch extension with the 12mm. I got three to four click per twist.

[@mr.seafish6859]

Thanks for taking the time to record and post this video.

[@drohrstestes]

Gigantic Thank You! I owe you a 12 pak, bro!

[@rtorres675]

Thank you for this video was alot of help just got the starter done on my TL.

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help.

[@RICARD01]

THANK YOU BUDDY! Swapped mine out last night on my 2004 TL. 😎😎😎

[@jaydenhalsall]

Any extra advise? Swapping mine tonight

[@RICARD01]

@jaydenhalsall4490 make sure you have extensions for your socket wrench and some Wobble mounts won't hurt, either. The 2 bolts underneath the battery tray is the hardest part of the job. Just feel around down there and you can put a socket...with extension...on it. NO need to jack the car up and go from the bottom.

[@drgeorgejohnson]

3:15 tried doing this to get to the solenoids below and couldn't because mine is not a "normal clip type connection", it's like soldered in. I drive a 3.2 CL. Kind of at a loss...

[@rodriarambulo]

Thank you for this video. I will be changing mine today. Question, does anyone know if the process for the manual tl and auto tl is different since the starters are different?

[@JBWDC3]

Thanks for the video. It was very helpful as I just replaced my starter a couple weeks ago, and this guide helped a lot! What's the name of the song that plays at the end?

[@CarlosMoroo]

Thanks bro you saved my ass $150

[@richlavender8673]

When tightening the positive nut to the new starter I accident over tightened the bolt and cracked the plastic case going to the solenoid. It starts up fine but could this be an issue?

[@lace2143]

What is the torque specifications for all the bolts I rather not break anything especially the bolts on the starter

[@dangottlieb982]

Y'all are amazing. Thanks so much. You rock!

[@legendarybroly2]

Are the starter bolts the same for the 04-08? I dropped mine and can’t find it but can’t find the length

[@stephanepv]

You forgot to add the 17mm deep socket for the 2 bolts in the description!

[@TW-ql7pp]

Very great instructional video! Can you post the part number that you replaced as well? I've been looking up the part and I'm not sure if it's the "Starter Motor Assy", or "Starter Core, ID"?

[@CarsNToys]

Timothy Wu Unfortunately, I don't have the part number. If you want a factory Acura starter best bet is checking out an Acura dealer website and looking up the part.

[@findingnismoz]

very detailed and clear instructions, thanks

[@CarsNToys]

+findingnismoz Glad to help

[@CurtisAllenLight]

You're awesome video was a huge help thanks!

[@playuhhaytuh5633]

Great video 👍🏽

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you!

[@Malvarez916]

Video helped a lot. Would have spent a few hundred taking to a mechanic 👍🏻

[@michaelmorris6575]

Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@manny8yo]

Great video… i have a 2004 TL and I had to replace my starter last week but I'm still having problems with it starting… its whining when i try to start it … I've asked around and was told maybe the mechanic didn't put the shims back on. I was just wondering what you might think and if its the shims how thick do they need to be???

[@CarsNToys]

manny8yo Shims aren't needed if the starter is factory. If the starter gear isn't making contact with the flywheel then I'd remove the starter and test the starter outside the vehicle.

[@manny8yo]

OK ill check it out … Thank You

[@kristiankuna8468]

This repair took me 8 hours thanks to 15 year old rusted bolts but if you live in a warm climate and your car isn't rusted and you have power tools, you should be able to finish this really fast also the plastic clips will break off I recommend buying a 100 piece kit of those plastic clips off Amazon for around $5 and you should be good for your DIY repair.

[@samvid74]

what us the size of the starter bolts. i was ablevremove the upper one but the bottom one i couldnt remove it its realy tight and now i give me up

[@ztz7707]

Thanks for helping 😘😘😘😘

[@morales2179]

Hi wend you go make the videos change the rear motor mount and front motor mount? Becouse any to replace my please you doi good job

[@playgan0716]

good job. thanks for the tip. very helpful. nice and clear video and very understandable

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you

[@leeisenberg]

Is this the 2005 again?? Is it the same for a 2007 model??? Thanks.

[@tdottorres7223]

Awesome video. Thanks 👊

[@ajmonroe7222]

follow ur vid and installed starter non problems thank u so much!!!

[@ddesemblyftw]

Thanx for thus video. I was going to take my car to the mechanic but thus I can do.

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help

[@kalani1963]

is the video good for a 1997 Acura TL as well?

[@dajjana19933]

Sir, what chance if the flywheel is damaged ??

[@To9Romo]

If this helps anyone, I just replaced mine today in an '04 TL, I had tons of trouble getting the battery holder plate off because a couple of the bolts were rusted fast and couldn't get any leverage, I was able to get the old starter out and a new one in without removing the plate, probably could have done the whole thing within 30 minutes.

[@iamrickjohnson]

Is this video applicable to a 2000 RL?

[@foreverwood1963]

Man I just knew my wife's starter on her 2004 acura TL was bad. I removed the starter and was about to purchase a new one when I thought to myself I haven't done any troubleshooting. So I decide to bench test it. Oh boy it works. I go back to the car to see if power is getting to the solenoid and there was none. I removed the relay and tested it and it tests ok any ideas?

[@eduardojaramillo2925]

Great video I just changed mine .... thanks bruh

[@CarsNToys]

Awesome glad to help.

[@yaybeer187]

Not sure if I need a new starter but when I try to start my car in the morning, just the lights light up and no ignition turnover. I hear some fast clicking sounds while my dash lights flicker. I can usually get it started by like the 10th attempt but when it finally starts, the engine starts up REALLY slow. Do I need a new starter?

[@CarsNToys]

Try this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fabKfoBto7ulqLc

[@dylanhawk171]

new battery

[@hugoquand7073]

excellent video thanks

[@jmke2881]

doea the car need to be jack up to get to bolt on bottow for battery tray?

[@CarsNToys]

No but it makes it easier.

[@rjaj3276]

This job can literally be done in ten mins with a impact ratchet, even with basic hand tools 10-15 mins

[@CarlosIowa]

That bolt? It's really hard to get to when you don't do a wide angle shot to show where exactly it is let alone how to get to it. Still looking for it.

[@stewart591]

Thank you so much man.

[@neoplasma1]

this the same thing for an 2006 RL?

[@Hamza22266]

My car never gave me starting problem before but when I went for oil change today afterwards they said don't turn off ur car cuz it won't start again cuz I need a starter replaced so I took my car to a store for grocery shopping and it didn't start at all. You think it's a starter? N my car is still in parking lot of that shopping center

[@CarsNToys]

+hamza malik If the battery is good then yes I'd check the starter as well.

[@Superrdave6303]

Same process for 08 type S?

[@schm147]

What's the song at the end?

[@hawjsta]

I think i had a harder time taking off the one bolt underneath closer to the headlight then the one furthest away.

[@tommychickz2940]

Everything went smoothly except for that connector or plug on the starter. Im doing it rn while 4 hours in. I still cant pull it off..

[@JEFF2010SSRS]

Thankyou very much. Piece of Cake :)

[@CarsNToys]

Glad to help. Glad you were successful.

[@orlando4683]

I’ve been stuck on the bottom 17mm for the longest now, whoever tightened it so hard doesn’t deserve to be happy

[@mschoewe]

DO NOT GO FROM BELOW TO REMOVE BATTERY TRAY! You need to show the bolt locations while apart beneath the tray so your viewers don't waste their time disassembling the undercarriage needlessly. Pull the vertical vent tube out and you can see them and work around the tray. Now I get why the tray is the hardest part. You do it the hard way! Update your video!

[@brianc6739]

Thanks man

[@CarsNToys]

You're welcome!

[@c.bambinglockleys]

C. Bambino Glockley's PTSD Styles Beat'z inc. 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@shawnmccullough1204]

Why the heck did u remove the batt tray 17mill shallow and ratchet got both bolts out and starter out no need to remove batt tray doing to much

[@zarekgalicia5322]

Everything it's good, except that you forgot to add 17 mm, I was bought everything and I miss that dice....

[@scottmurray4689]

Not rying to be rude, but I just changed the starter in a 2000 Acura TL 3.2L. There is NO NO NO need to remove the battery tray!!!!!! In fact I could have changed the starter with the battery still in, but I wimped out and pulled the battery ONLY. Whole job took a very casual 20 minutes.

[@CarsNToys]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@83132]

shoutout harbor freight lol

[@kristinaburger7684]

I wish I could do this oh my

[@SMOKEYSS83]

thx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@isbahmasood4160]

Thats connected to the actual starter. But good job

[@CarsNToys]

Thank you.

[@Zhemmer]

You can get all those from the top with a lot more ease also don’t put them back they are useless, dealer doesn’t put them back you still have 3 bolts holding the tray it which is already enough 🤦‍♂️

[@thedoctor8001]

Thank you Adam Sandler

[@CarsNToys]

You're welcome!

[@isbahmasood4160]

U forgot taking off one of the sensors

[@scottmurray4689]

For Pete's sake why do you repair guys REFUSE to state the year of your car???

[@CarsNToys]

'05. Maybe I forgot to list it in the description box. Cheers

[@proficientcat235]

Lol I'm DA first one too dislike the vid

[@txcharvel]

Great video, thanks a bunch!

[@CarsNToys]

Glad it was helpful!