The 2000 Mazda 626 depends on a starter motor to turn the engine flywheel in order to start the engine. With that in mind, a starter malfunction is obviously not something anyone wants to experience. Common starter malfunctions include inability to engage due to internal electronic failure and inability to eject the gear from the nose cone due to internal mechanical failure. However, the type of failure really doesn’t matter--what does is installing a new starter immediately so you can get on with life. Anyone with basic mechanical skill can replace a starter on a 2000 Mazda 626 in under an hour.
Open the hood and remove the negative battery cable from the battery, using the battery wrench. Push the cable down along the side of the battery to prevent accidental contact with the battery terminal during the rest of the replacement procedure.
Put the wheel chocks behind the rear wheels and set the parking brake. Lift the front end of the Mazda 626 with the jack and then lower it onto two jack stands, placed under the frame on both sides.
Climb underneath the 626 with the socket set, replacement starter and the third floor jack. Position the floor jack underneath the starter motor, located where the engine and transmission join, and move the top of the jack stand up until it rests against the body of the starter.
Unbolt the starter wiring and then remove the starter mounting bolts with the socket set. Pull the starter out by hand and then slide the replacement starter into position.
Thread the starter mounting bolts in by hand and then tighten them with the socket set. Connect the wiring to the replacement starter and bolt it down with the socket set.
Climb out from under the Mazda and lower it off the jack stands with the jack. Reconnect the negative battery cable to the battery and move the wheel chocks away from the rear wheels.
