How to install a new Starter on a Suzuki Samurai

On this episode I replace my old starter with a new one. A few simple tools and a little of your spare time and you can replace that old worn out starter a heck of a lot cheaper than at a garage.
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Check out my latest video: "Hybrid Diff Part 3: Trussing and Armor"
• Suzuki Samurai Hybrid ...
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[@rosshillier9407]

Awesome video thanks man. I'm buying a starter today so thanks for the help! Gonna install and get back on the road!!

[@FabbinAdventures]

Awesome, glad i could help a d thanks for watching Zuki Evolution!

[@kenmacdonald6852]

Awesome videos man! I'm a welder/fab guy and got a little Suzuki tracker that I'm fixing up. Now I'm really inspired to find and restore a samurai too one day.

[@FabbinAdventures]

Thanks, i appreciate it man! These little suzukis are fun to work on and mod and are super capable once modded!

[@alexo1226]

looks pretty simple thx 👍🏼👍🏼

[@FabbinAdventures]

Yep, its a pretty simple part to replace.

[@mavn41157]

Wish you had shown how you got that top nut off. Could not reach it from the front of engine with a socket, or get an end wrench on it from above. Wonder if it would break a ratcheting end wrench. Fought with it for a couple of hours. It won. Edit 11-26-20: After another couple of frustrating hours I was about to give up, and saw the light. The top nut is actually a bolt going from the starter side to a nut on the transmission side. Someone replaced mine with an over-sized one and another nut used as a spacer. The bolt is only kept stationary while removing the nut on the other end. I hammered an angled box-end wrench flat to get at it, and nylon-tied a heater hose out of the way. Even this cut up both arms as I'm too lazy to remove other hoses / clamps in the way. Have to replace the sharp spring clamps with screw clamps some day. At least in my case it was easier to drop the starter out the bottom, having to move the clutch cable a little. The new starter came from Amazon, cost $74 after taxes, with no core exchange so I get to dissect the old one. The spring-over lift and axle rebuilds were much easier.

[@Trig242]

I am having nearly the same issue, frustrating as hell. I gave up for the night haha

[@Trig242]

Hi! I am having a bear of a time getting the top nut/bolt to tighten. I can't seem to get the two tools in there at the same time. I hand threaded the nut but now its just spinning the bolt. I have a variety of spanners and ratchets, and even when I can get them in, there's no room to tighten. Also the weight of the motor naturally pulls the motor away from the block. Any tips?

[@FabbinAdventures]

No, not much you can do other than trying some long extensions and a universal joint and wedging a wrench on the opposite side. There aint much room on these little things, lots of guys struggle with the same problem.

[@decathelondave9340]

Thinking about replacing both start and selinoid, After driving it and everything getting wormed up. The starter just clicks, but after about 8 to 10 clicks it starts. Am I going down the correct path replacing both?

[@FabbinAdventures]

Start with the easy stuff, like cleaning batt connections, connections at the starter. It is possible that the solinoid acts up when hot, but id almost lay money on dirty connections.

[@Albisriede]

I may not get an answer to this, but I'll try. I'm not a mechanic, so bear with me. I had a clickedy starter issue, removed the starter, installed a new one and it too only 'clicked'. So I ordered a 'clickedy fix relay', guaranteed to fix the problem. It did - for about half a dozen times. Now it's back to nothing at all. This is an '87 Sammi I'm only using at my remore cabin to get water from the well i.e. it doesn't get much use. Now it's been sitting for close to a year due to my absence. Recently I decided to remove the relay contraption and try to go back to the original arrangement, but can't recall which wire goes to which bolt on the starter, mostly "where does the large black cable connect to"? The line from the ignition key seems to simply slip onto the tab on the starter. The big 'positive' makes sense too, but there is that large black cable, which emerges out of the wiring harness (?) that must go someplace. Last question: Is the wire, coming from the ignition switch a positive or a negative? I'd like to just bypass the ignition switch alltogether, since this is not a vehicle to be used on public roads. How would one arrange that? Thanks for your patience.

[@FabbinAdventures]

The clicky starter fix is not a fix, from what ive been told the reason for the "clicky" is a dirty ignition switch or bad battery connection. Start by cleaning your batt connections with scotch brite pad or sandpaper or something. Cleaning the ignition switch requires the removal of the switch, disassembly, cleaning and reassemble. Ive never done it, so i cant explain how. As for the big black wire, id have to go look, possibly a ground. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@sergiodeleon860]

I buy muy 1990 suzuky a week ago I’m happy with my car but I need to buy some parts

[@dereckramos8106]

Where did you buy your starter?

[@FabbinAdventures]

I just ordered it from my local parts store. Thanks for watching Zuki Evolution!

[@dereckramos8106]

@@FabbinAdventures no problem just subscribed.... you canadian?

[@dereckramos8106]

Have you heard the 1.6l starters fit the1.3?

[@FabbinAdventures]

Yes, i am in Alberta, Canada!

[@FabbinAdventures]

Not sure if they fit, but i wouldnt be surprized if they did.

[@loganfleming8835]

I rebuilt the transmission in my 86 as well and now it won’t start. I’ve installed all the wires back but it won’t start. Clicks once then that’s it, lights stay on but it’s like the engines stuck

[@FabbinAdventures]

Hmmm, does it turn over at all or just click? Can you turn the motor over by hand? Or with a bar? Thats pretty strange?

[@loganfleming8835]

@@FabbinAdventures never mind I just started taking off the starter then put back on and it started up no problem! Thanks for the reply👍. Only two things that’s weird post trans rebuild. 1. Reverse is not an option mostly kinda refuses to go into the gear even after driving forward in 1st for a bit. 2. In neutral nothing engaged there’s a “airy” rubbing sound not a grind but then I push in the clutch and dead silent like normal. Did notice a small gouge mark on the fins for the “clutch plate cover” I believe it’s called. Other than that flipping smooth smooth ride