EASY 2010-2013 MAZDA 3 Starter Replacement Procedure & Electrical Tests

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Sorry for the boring car this week. I did work on the red 911, but I didn't get to a good ending point. The red car failed its California smog test, so I'm going through a bunch of things to get it to pass. That should be an interesting video! I thought this Mazda video would help those with the same car for years to come, so I put it up 😎

[@xXNightsWatchXx]

😭😭 This is my Car and i love it

[@itsmonsterbih]

just got a 2010 mazda 3i as my second car, replaced the throttle body, alternator, battery, and sparks. just for it to drive, and not start when i get back home. this video just saved my life, you got straight into it no bullshit or extra shit needed or used. great video💯

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Thx! Glad it helped.

[@itsmonsterbih]

@@GarageTimeAutoResto you’re welcome! now i did everything in the video, anddd it’s still clicking but not cranking. any ideas? i keep getting battery, alternator, or starter but all of em are replaced already

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Ground cable is clean and attached. You can also try jumpering the starter solenoid direct to the battery, but be careful that you can disconnect quickly. If that works then your ignition switch is bad.

[@SaneSociety1]

Mazda 3 is not a boring car! Thanks for the vid.

[@robgm6000]

Exactly what i need to replace the starter on my car same year and model with 130k miles bought OEM starter from dealer for $ 150.00 going to get on it right now great video and well explained Muchas Gracias.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Best of luck!

[@dsrcvideos]

Well done video! good lighting and identification of parts and tools. Thanks!

[@polloloci21]

Cool- 12yrs- that starter had a good run. I always liked Mazda’s build quality. Had a Miata for a while- really liked the feel of the controls.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Definitely! This has been a good car for me. Can't think of anything better to be honest. Audi makes some nice wagons, but it's hard to beat the Japanese cars for reliability and economy.

[@petem6291]

Tom , I just wanted to add to your diagnostic arsenal two things I learned working in a shop is test the old starter by using and amp clamp record amp draw on the old starter and do the same with the new starter and one thing I got burned by is always check the battery ground cable were it bolts to the block .

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Both great tips! Will include next time. Bad grounds cause so many problems

[@jacobrobbins6181]

This is a fantastic video. Well lit, and everything is shown very clearly. Having a lift helps, I'm sure. I'm about to swap the starter on my 2008 (still the original starter with 157k miles on it), so it'll be a bit different... But seeing it done so clearly will be a huge help.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Great, best of luck. My car is still starting just great!

[@jacobrobbins6181]

@@GarageTimeAutoResto Space was tight, and my electrical connector (the white one, not the one with the 12/13 mm nut) was a bit different...but I got it done. The car fires up nice & strong every time now. Thanks again!

[@speedracer175]

​@@jacobrobbins6181I don't know I have a Mazda 3 2010. I think I rather pay $94 for someone to just swap it out

[@jonathanr2417]

Great thank you for taking time to do the vid. Great viewing angles and clear/helpful explanations.

[@jmannUSMC]

Thanks mate! My starter served me well for 280k miles but the time has come for it to meet the bin

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Sure, I hope my car gets to that many miles!

[@speedracer175]

My 2010 Mazda 3 starter has 263000 miles. It sometimes makes no sound and doesn't start

[@unicornadrian1358]

Mine has 386000km and the starter works intermittently. It looks like its time for a replacement.

[@rubenm567]

Very good step by step instruction with clear video view of the area repaired. Thanks for providing this for us to learn how to perform this repair.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Thanks and best of luck on yours 😃

[@macfady2181]

I was looking today, and both mounting bolts are clearly visible from the top, as well as the plastic cover that covers the positive wire. Other than the first electrical connection that was undone with the screw driver, the rest looks doable from above. I'm waiting on a starter, but I am going to attempt from the top, mainly because my undertray will need to be cut off.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Let me know if that works out for you

[@macfady2181]

@GarageTimeAutoResto In F/U, bottom is best. I did about half of it from above, but I don't see how you could complete the job without getting underneith for the electrical, as well as physical removal and replacement.

[@JesseCotto]

@8:50 Replacement part and Original parts side by side

[@evankaiser6588]

That was a great video. And thank you! For sharing what tools you used

[@pwyu1969]

Glad I came across this. I have a 2012 Mazda 3 with 138K that is new to me, as I got it a month ago. Twice the car would not start after a day of driving with a hot engine. Turn key and click. Came out the next morning and it fired right up. I think I’ll put in an order for a new starter ASAP! Any idea why our starters work fine cold, but die when they the engine is hot?

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Hope that solves your problem. When magnets and windings get hot they are less efficient. Think of a super conductor works best at very low temperatures.

[@augustovaldiviezo6128]

Thanks for your video, yesterday I could change the starter from my car by my self 👍🏻👍🏻

[@speedracer175]

It is very difficult to replace this by yourself don't you think? I rather get the part myself and just pay $95 to have somebody replace it

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Great!

[@clouddefender1773]

Excelent video...... Going to my mazda now to see what i can do

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Best of luck

[@jeremymajor]

Hi, I know this is an older thread. I have the 2013 Mazda 3 skyactiv 2.0. Recently it won't start. I changed the battery and turn the key but nothing, all the lights work properly but no start. My question is would you happen to know what the tourqe for the 2 Bolt's are and should I apply Blue loctite on them? Great video by the way. Thank you

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

It's been a while, but those bolts seem to be 8mm if I remember right. 18 ft-lbs is about right for M8. If they are a different size than I would use a generic bolt torque chart. No locktite needed here if you ask me.

[@nasirkhanbaloch8138]

Hi brother how are you I have same car with same problem but there is one more extra noise wich is win the car reach at speed of 20 (ofter starting up) at make a noise same like the starter noise for 1 or 2 seconds. Can you tell what could be the noise? 5:17 5:18

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

I have no idea. The starter should be fully disengaged when driving.

[@InfamousGFox]

My 2010 Mazda 3 starter just started going bad. I'll be replacing it later today.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Awesome, hope it went well

[@Zincaloom]

I would have blamed the battery. That tester looks real handy. Nicely diagnosed and fixed. I bet you wish you could unsee the ripped boot.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Ha, I covered up the ripped boot with the plastic tray. Out of sight out of mind. The new boots should be here Monday :) And I just finished installing axle boots on the 356. Let's hope the Mazda install is easier!

[@voraxe]

great video! might be easier on a hoist but in a home garage without one this sux :P mainly the brackets as they dont have a lot of play.

[@jeffharrison5265]

Mazda's are great cars. My 1990 Miata was fantastic. Had it for 26 years and barely had to do anything to it. The brand doesn't get the attention it deserves.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Agree, I treat this car like a truck. You'd be amazed how much stuff you can pack into a hatchback!

[@jeffharrison5265]

@@GarageTimeAutoResto yes, our Mini Cooper Clubman is amazing in that regard as well. I do have a F250 super duty for the BIG stuff LoL.

[@petem6291]

@@jeffharrison5265 I could not agree with you more my daily driver is a 98 Mazda protage its the best car I ever owned ...

[@tztvue]

Does that white wire goes to the battery? A white wire on my positive battery is burnt.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Sorry, I can't remember

[@roundtailrestoration]

Call a dealership and see how much money you just saved yourself. Sure, working on a Mazda is mundane, but I'm pretty sure I've saved thousands of dollars for these types of easy repairs. Working on the Porsche (or the Triumph) is fun, but it's work like this that gives you the extra money to buy parts for those!

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Well said. I have to cut my expenses and save where I can if I'm going to record KZbin videos and work on classics two days a week! It's part of the lifestyle😃

[@luisochoa1300]

Why does everything look so easy on KZbin. I did this at home and had a lot harder time lol.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Sorry man, we have the edit button. Did you have a lift?

[@s0Mbrrrrr]

How did you get the hardline over the top bolt?

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

I think I removed the whole bracket

[@MakeItMike]

Where did you get that car lift!!!???

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Max Jax. Now sold by bend-pak. It's great for a regular garage with 9 ' ceilings Also the posts are on wheels so you can unbolt from the floor and move it. Great lift.

[@glocklahoma7064]

Idk if my bolts are lock tight or something but I literally can’t remove the bolts AT ALLLLLL!!!😢

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Something is binding and locked up

[@gabrielmouyal4220]

How much toyal time did this take? I may need to do this on my car because the dealership is trying to charge me 600....

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Two hours max including going to the parts store.

[@gabrielmouyal4220]

@@GarageTimeAutoResto thank you! Turns out the dealership lied since I went and got it tested and it works without issue

[@alexanderpalomino8779]

Step by step very clear 😂

[@magamaga1827]

Thanks for this. The mechanics in NYC are all foreign and lazy. My mazda 3 2015 has had starting issues for about a year. Cold start no problem. Once it's warm, I usually take 2 to 3 attempts to get it started. It always cranks just won't turn over. I notice when the gas tank is full, it starts easier. Any thoughts? Battery is fine.

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Is the cranking speed low, like in my video? When the engine and starter are warm the electricity doesn't flow as well and it can crank slow. Some call it a heat soaked starter. Not sure why the gas level would affect the starter though. Maybe something else wrong with the fuel injection pressure?

[@magamaga1827]

@@GarageTimeAutoResto The crank speed doesn't seem to be any different when for cold and warm starts. I do have some idling issues though. For example, a couple of times the car at a stop light after doing downhill felt like it was about to stall out. I notice that when I crank the AC the idle returns to normal. I also have been getting check engine code regarding air/fuel issue into the engine on and off for a long time. My stupid mechanic said it was related to mass air flow sensor which he said he fixed but I still get the check engine sign. It comes and goes. Maybe that is related to the starting problem?

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Hmm, this sounds more like a fuel injection issue. Have you tried putting some fuel injector cleaner in the gas. Might improve after a few tanks?

[@magamaga1827]

@@GarageTimeAutoResto yes, just tried a couple of days ago. i have 195K mi on the car. first time i'm using the cleaner. will see how it works. thx

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Might need a new fuel filter too

[@OmarPerez-kv3gu]

I followed this exact steps and now my car makes a whining noise and won’t start what do yall think it could be

[@GarageTimeAutoResto]

Try turning the engine with a wrench

[@camrt6070]

Muchas gracias

[@galactic904]

Buy a Toy or a Hon instead, much easier and faster to replace parts like that, omg. Mitsubishi starter is mini. 3 hours to do, with luck, LoL.

[@harleyannelaub928]

Where’s the cylonoid box