Toyota Matrix starter replacement tips & tricks

2005 Toyota Matrix XR , replacing starter, how to, tools

[@MarzNet256]

I just changed the starter on a 2006 Matrix. I removed the fan shroud (takes 2min), and was able to easily replace it from the top. No need to go under. Be careful not to damage radiator fins while working.

[@carletonrutherford1799]

I have never done a starter before, until yesterday. The one thing I did, was remove the radiator fan first. It is only 2 bolts, 3 plastic clips holding the wiring harness, and the overflow hose. It takes less than 5 minutes. Then you can work from the top of the motor, everything is right there, and you have a lot of room. Unclip the wiring harness to the starter, unbolt the 12 mm bolt under the rubber boot and remove the wire, then unbolt the the 14 mm bolt on the left, then the 14 mm bolt hiding behind the hose, on the right. You can lift the starter right out the top no problems, and it makes it so much easier to replace too. The whole job took me an hour. And again, I had never done a starter before.

[@lukedesaulniers5943]

Thanks! Followed this advice and successfully installed my first starter in my ‘07 Vibe.

[@carletonrutherford1799]

@@lukedesaulniers5943 That's awesome! Saved yourself at least a couple hundred dollars! It wasn't that hard once you know what you need to do, hey? If you ever need to do it again, or help a friend or family member, it'll be a piece of cake.

[@sparkynm156]

2001 Toyota MTX VVTI 1.8 Liter - NOTE: Inspect Condition of, and Tightness of Battery Terminal Cables. - Note: You can Remove the ElectricFan Assembly , 1 plug, 2 Bolts... For Better Access from Above.. - Remove "Negative" Battery Terminal Connection. - Rmv. Starter Solenoid Signal Wire, pinch clip release - Rmv. Starter Power Wire, 12mm - Rmv. Top Mount Bolt (Faces from Bell Housing Towards Engine), Long Extension w/ 14mm Socket - Remember the Starter will come out after this Next bolt, so keep a hand on it. - Rmv. Lwr Starter Bolt, short extension w/14mm socket Torque to Specs or If you must do it without a Torque Wrench, You Can Tighten until each bolt snug, then Tighten until initial tight, then 1/4 to 1/2 turn more.. Stop.. Don't Tighten so much that you strain, chances are thats too tight and may strip.. Good and Tight not Torqued Until it Strips.. - In many cases an Engine will Crank Over Strong, Headlights, Stereo, etc All work fine.. BUT If the Starter is Bad in a way that it DRAWLS TOO MUCH AMPERAGE , The Ignition System may not have enough Power to give a Strong Enough Spark to Fire the Engine. - You also must take care when Starter is Going Out, Do Not keep trying to just get by with having to crank the Starter over and over if it Doesn't Fully Engage and Crank the Engine..(just a quick Grind then Wiiiiiings). You CAN QUICKLY DAMAGE THE TEETH of the Flywheel Ring Gear, and that Is a Much More Time Consuming Repair.. REMEMBER: A Bad Battery Kills A Good Alternator.. and Bad Alternator Kills a Good Battery Bad Starter will Kill a Good Battery and then The Alternator.. SideNote: Plus cook the starter Power Wire. Great Video, Thank You.. Always fun to watch and even for quick notes or Refresher...

[@markunderhill1596]

My daughter's 2003 matrix would not start so I drove over with a battery tester and jumper cables. When I diagnosed that it wasn't the battery I decided it was the starter. She called AAA to get it towed back to my house but then I looked up your video and banged on the starter with the tire iron (no hammer) and it started! Thanks for that tip as it saved me sitting in the hot sun for an hour or more to wait for the tow. Bought the replacement starter and will be installing this weekend. Thank you for your videos.

[@blanco_set]

i’m 18 and working on my car for the first time with this issue on a toyota matrix 2003... wish me luck km using your video as a guide

[@sparkynm156]

Righty Tighty Lefty loosey Execpt with Reverse Thread

[@dalepremo3695]

You are the best, sir! Thank you for filming this. It is clearly doable and only a very minor inconvenience dropping it down and out.

[@zacharyburkum8547]

You have PERFECT TIMING! My 2006 Matrix XR has been having trouble starting for months, and it's getting worse. Thanks to your video, I'm confident I'll be able to pull the starter out today and bench test it to see if it's my problem. I love your videos! Please keep them coming, my friend!

[@bgestradan88]

Was it easy to replace i just got a 2006 Toyota matrix too

[@zacharyburkum8547]

@@bgestradan88 Yep! Probably one of the easiest parts I've had to replace on this car. I haven't had to do much, because it's basically a Corolla, and it's lived up to that reputation. I could probably do the starter in a parking lot if I had to.

[@MarzNet256]

Cool. Just replaced mine on a 2006 Matrix. I removed fan shroud and replaced it from the top.

[@MarzNet256]

@@bgestradan88 If you remove the fan shroud (takes 2min) you can replace it from the top-no need to go under vehicle.

[@MEGAPARTY140]

Thank You Peter once again, for transmitting knowledge and confidence to all who had doubts about their capabilities. 👍👍💪🏻💪🏻😊

[@charlessapp9286]

Peter we can use your professionalism and expertise here in the midwest, keep up the great job and thanks for everything.

[@sheila9110]

Your video was really helpful. I found another video showing how to take off the fan shroud before to create space. I found that super helpful, but after doing that, your video was all I needed to finish the job. Thank you Sir!

[@lifelong5425]

Showing the tools, and the location of the starter in the out of car/relocate place ...great idea.

[@vvogt4252]

Another Fantastic Video! Thanks for Teaching us How to Change out the Starter! And Teaching us Safety by First remove the Negative battery terminal.

[@tolerbearALTII]

I love your videos. Plus you seem like you have a passion for these cars and are a good kind man. God bless you sir. I have a 2006 Pontiac Vibe that I thoroughly enjoy. It's got 225k on it and I drove it off the showroom floor. I recently acquired a 2005 Pontiac Vibe AWD that was basically a theft recovery and it's been a blast to work on. I hope it's as great of a car as my 2006 model.

[@rabz85]

Thank you my good Sir, due to your clear video and directions, I was able to replace mine today. Easier than an oil change tbh, less that tight top bolt that played hardball. Thank you, again! Keep Sharing your knowledge.

[@jamesnickless4909]

I absolutely love your videos and hit the jackpot when I came across your old w124 Mercedes videos having just bought one of those and also owning several toyotas too (prius and corolla verso here in the UK) To give Toyota even more credit, if you were to undo the solonoid, rub down the scoring that is causing it to stick so that it smooth again and greased up so that it slides smoothly when engaging I'm sure this starter would probably go again for another 230k! :) Appreciate some may see the above as false economy what with time spent removing solonoid and rubbing it down etc vs just fitting a new unit. Cheers, love the videos, James - London, UK

[@jimrockfish1875]

James! Where does one find Peter’s W124 videos? KZbin search didn’t do it.

[@jamesnickless4909]

@@jimrockfish1875 type mercedes maintenance in the search box!

[@jamesnickless4909]

@@jimrockfish1875 kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6m5YYOKgs6kfrM There you go his name was diesel mercedes 👍👍👍

[@jimrockfish1875]

James Nickless Thank you James! Subscribed.

[@donaldpedigo296]

... YOU ARE ALWAYS HELPFUL & VERY-VERY-VERY ENCOURAGING ... BEST TO YOU ...

[@NFS4LFE]

Good clear video. Gonna try fixing my car tonight. Thank you!

[@salamander163]

thank you for this video,it really help me with very clear instructions!!!

[@howardboucher4744]

my scion tc only 54000 kilos no starter yet i enjoy videos oh yah scion never winter driven in canada but my best toyota 2001 solara sle v6 convertible 68000 original kilos of course no problems i keep in florida love the toys

[@rightlanehog3151]

Tres bien.

[@VWWRENCHIE]

C'est formidable😎

[@evan937]

I am in Mount Brydges Ongario. How about you bud?

[@leafmixer]

I wish I had a lift but I don't. I simply removed the fan which unbolts easily that gave enough room to get the starter out right from the top no problem at all

[@johniec2]

Great video, I also have an 05 Matrix and got 235K out of mine. This CAN be done in about 15min from above, remove radiator fan and (two bolts and one electrical connector) and this allows a lot more room, no need to go underneath.

[@johntamburo6934]

Wish I had seen your post on how easy to remove the radiator fan, then the starter from above. I just did from bottom, removed plastic trim, airbox just to get access to the top bolt which was a bi$#@!....yeah, should have taken me 1/2 hour tops, getting tools, etc.; instead of 3 hours and rust flakes all over my face.😀 I have 235k, Scion xB, 2004...the copper wire between solenoid and starter body disintegrated.

[@SPARTAN-dj4rv]

This guy just saved me 300 bucks!

[@RebelDolphinTrimble]

Helped me a tonnnnn ty so much for this

[@Calvin7007]

Much Appreciated, LC From Chicago 😷

[@joemcginnis2168]

Great videos man, thank you for doing this for everybody. Such a service to your fellow man and confidence inspiring. Will be recommending these to my brother. And if I may ask, where can I get a pair of glasses like those you have on in the video. They're perfect and are hard to find like that!

[@atgvideo1]

Another great video. Thanks.

[@johnysilver1853]

Thank you. It's very useful tutorial

[@miriamvivo4279]

Denso ? Not bad fairly easy. Watching this on my 67th birthday I'm peter also. No worries all good stay safe amigo

[@williamhopper1443]

Thanks very good video

[@shylohfromovanorth612]

You’re a huge help thank you !

[@moodylouis]

this dude is the best

[@jimgentleman6609]

Thank you so much for this video. I can do it !

[@grandriver3152]

Dekuji Vam pane! 👍🌲

[@golddiggerxxxxx]

Very helpful video thanks for sharing. 🤗

[@c5back9]

Lovely! Oh how wonderful it must be to have a lift!

[@paulparoma]

It's great to have a lift, but you do realize he is not doing this at home?

[@markreynolds3850]

Thanks for sharing this video. Interesting information.

[@ToyotaMaintenance]

Thanks for watching!

[@Xiferr]

I took out plastic fan shroud did it from above the car make it very simple no struggle

[@oscarstone8493]

That was actually a good video.

[@atmccowin2]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Abe-ny1dy]

Thank you nice video !

[@solutionstheory]

FYI tape the top bolt to the socket so you don't lose it when putting it back in

[@mastaralvi5630]

love the job

[@jameswhite1319]

Thanks for sharing

[@jbbolts]

thanks very helpful

[@2011artvel]

Thank you, but it was harder than you didn't show,,,,🤪 loosening them hard to turn nuts with a wrench 😯😯😯 I finally saw my Universal Joint Socket Adapter and whaaalaa

[@DuhKohDuh]

Dude what a legend

[@crissgen]

Thanks for the video, my matrix 2009 stay on a second when I start it , what could be the problem ? Thanks

[@leeeeeelz]

Good video Sir

[@WhisperingWildMarketFarm]

Huh interesting my matrix is just about 230k and its starter just died. Thank you for the video!

[@onikawhispers7341]

Thank you❤

[@evan937]

My 2000 Corolla still has the original starter and alternator. ☺

[@donnierobertson3088]

Nice

[@matthewglaze5398]

Will it be the same on a XRS package with a manual transmission also?

[@hughkoontz2166]

Did you replace with OEM Denso? Or aftermarket starter?

[@FredTheLutinoCocatiel]

Personally I would get a rebuild kit take me hour or two but you have to take it apart first see what you have to work with make sure the windings and the Armature are satisfactory then replace bushings and brushes and solenoid.

[@ChrisVargasrpht2000chris]

OEM or After Market

[@Pallidus_Rider]

I have 2003 Toyota Corolla with 299,999 miles (odometer maxed out over 2 years ago). Q: should I replace starter pre-emtively, or wait for it to fail? 🤔

[@kalani1987]

When it starts giving you issues, then I would change it. Not a cheap part

[@andiman45]

hoping you would show us how to rebuild the starter

[@jamesnickless4909]

KZbin > repair starter solonoid. Dead easy

[@johnlacroix1639]

This video I liked it a lot ,keep up the great work. WOW very interesting 1st class very kool great info.,, AAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++ again great

[@Henray316]

Buy a rebuild kit replace the plunger and contact points. The oem would last much longer than a new refurbished unit from the autoparts store.

[@1ronhall]

I’m curious as to your choice of replacement starter. Can you tell me what brand, and where you sourced it? And finally, what was your cost?

[@kalani1987]

I would always use OEM for any electrical components, except the battery.

[@bh10k17]

Agree with oem. Replaced one at 234000 miles and a non oem parts store only last 2 years ( 42000 miles ). By the way the car has well over 300000 miles on it and still going well ( it's a vibe , sister to matrix ). Great video.

[@classlessbozo317]

Can you buy the solenoid separately or is the solenoid/starter motor one component?

[@danh2134]

It looks like it's able to come off separately

[@jamesnickless4909]

The solonoid is scored and no longer smooth and so as a result is getting stuck hence not engaging properly. You can take the solonoid apart, rub it down so that it is smooth again, apply grease, put back together and it'll be good to go again....

[@tealpaintbrush1797]

When I turn on the ignition key, there is no clicking sound at all and the car does not start. When I tap on the starter lightly with wrench, then the car starts. Has the starter gone bad or is it starter relay? I did some online research but could not find the straight answer. Thanks for help!

[@rjflippo]

If that starter works after tapping on it, the unit is receiving power. The issue would most likely be a short in the starter or solenoid.

[@on-site4094]

Can you get the rebuild kit for starter and alternators. from Toyota . I know you can get brake Calliper rebuild kits from Toyota

[@nikovandh]

Yup. I got the new contacts from Toyota for the starter on my 99 Lexus ES300 when it was about 185k miles. Starts super strong every time after I replaced them inside. Saved money :)

[@neilmurphy845]

@@nikovandh ya Bosch make a rebuild case for their unit

[@LulaPlays]

Could use help! I drive my Matrix for a bit (starts up perfectly) and get home, shut car off, and try to re-start it and it won't start....but then it will start up 5 or so minutes later. any assistance on this? It is def not the battery as I just replaced the battery a couple weeks back.

[@why-oh4nv]

Im having same issue!

[@Xiferr]

Sounds like bad starter intermittent failures are a sign of that or bad connection to starter battery or ground . My 05 matrix does the same but hasn't had issues in long time one day wouldn't start like 90% of the time then suddenly it just got better. Welp now I have a spare starter incase lol

[@steppooncc]

Hi peter, three weeks ago I put jump start terminal wrong side, some fuses burnt, that have been replaced with new one, starter motor tested working normal, dashboard light all on, but just cannot start the car, there is no any response when turning the key. Could you give me advice Peter? Or any one of you have any idea, please help! Thank you very much.

[@steppooncc]

The starter relay also working normal

[@treedeblue]

Awesome work Toyota man like always but I ask what in the world is the purpose of a matrix Toyota car, it seems like such a gimmick in my humble opinion

[@BrockOBauma]

Gimmick? You've never heard of station wagons? It's toyota's answer to the subaru outback.

[@neilmurphy845]

Ya in Europe we got a more common sense name it was called the Corolla hatchback

[@treedeblue]

Neil Murphy makes perfect sense Americans need it named after a movie 🍿

[@dabrownguy7356]

Yes, they were great cars built in Cambridge Ontario (80km west of Toronto). I wish I bought one back in 2012 when instead I bought my piece of shit Cruze.

[@leafmixer]

The vibe and the Matrix are just Corolla wagons with hatchbacks

[@vicarod]

You use a lot of old USA made craftsman tools. Sad to see them gone. It isn't the same thing now...

[@Dan-hv3we]

I want to see a pic of Peter in his 20s. When his hair was probably blonde. Lol

[@orinmangar2333]

Installation is just the reverse of removal.

[@abdulzeerak3018]

Hi

[@DavidGibsonSongs]

anybody having problems with their starter being stuck? we have removed all the correct bolts and wires and it is simply stuck.

[@gvi341984]

Where is he from? Netherlands or Germany? Why leave those countries. Unless hes south african that would explain his reason of leaving

[@andiman45]

not dutch but german

[@BrockOBauma]

Probably tired of fixing Volkswagens.

[@truthmonster3290]

I say he sounds very Czech.