When the starter goes bad on your 1996 Saturn, it will produce a rapid clicking sound or a fast whirring sound that occurs when the starter fails to engage with the flywheel. When your starter begins to exhibit these symptoms, you should replace it immediately. Otherwise, you face the prospect of being left stranded at the most inconvenient time possible. A person with no repair experience should be able to complete the process in about two hours.
Park the car on a level surface and set the parking brake.
Place the wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
Open the engine compartment and disconnect the negative battery terminal.
Jack the car up using the automobile jack and place a jack stand under the car frame near the jacking point. Raise the jack as close as you can to the frame.
Put on your safety glasses. Locate the starter on the bottom of the engine. Spray the electrical connections with penetrating oil. Allow the oil to penetrate the connections. Mark each connection using the masking tape and marker while you are waiting.
Disconnect the electrical connections to the solenoid using the Phillips screwdriver.
Remove the lower starter mounting bracket using the proper size wrench.
Remove the upper starter mounting bolt with the proper size socket, extension and ratchet.
Pull the starter toward the left side of the vehicle to remove it from the engine.
Insert the new starter into the bell housing. Move it around until the bolt holes line up properly.
Install the bottom bolt loosely to allow for the starter to move around so you are able to line up the top hole properly.
Install the top bolt and tighten using the proper size socket, extension and ratchet. Also tighten up the bottom bolt using the proper size wrench.
Reconnect the wiring using the wire nuts according to the way that you have them marked for replacement. Tighten them using the Phillips screwdriver. When you reconnect the wires route them in a way that they don't come in contact with rough surfaces.
Remove the jack stand and lower the car to the ground.
Reconnect the negative battery terminal and start the car to test the installation.
