The starter is the electrical motor that engages the flywheel and starts your 1997 Ford Mustang. The starter itself is not complicated to replace. The access can be tricky as the car sits low to the ground and you have very little room to maneuver. Placing the car on jack stands will allow you all the room to access the starter and work comfortably. Always isolate the battery before working on the electrical system.
Ensure the car is parked on level ground. Chock the back wheel with a cinder block.
Open the hood to access the battery. Disconnect the battery with a crescent wrench.
Raise the car from the front axle with a jack. Place jack stands under the axles. Lower the car on to the jack stands.
Crawl under the car on the passenger side. Locate the starter between the engine and the transmission. The starter will be bolted to the frame.
Unbolt the starter with a socket wrench. There are two bolts holding the starter in place.
Lower the starter to access the wiring at the top of the starter. Pull the wiring harness out of the top with your fingers. Pry the tab up and pull toward you.
Unbolt the nut on the stud with a socket wrench. Pull the negative lead off the stud with your fingers.
Pull the old starter down and place in the box the new starter came in. You will need to take the old starter back to the parts store for your core credit refund.
Push the new starter up far enough to push the wiring harness in to the top of the starter. Bolt the negative wire back on to the grounding stud. Ensure you tighten the nut over the ground lead.
Bolt the starter to the frame with a socket wrench. Ensure both bolts are tight.
Connect the battery cables to the battery. Ensure the positive cable is on the positive terminal. The positive terminal will be marked with a (+) sign. Connect the negative cable to the negative terminal.
Raise the car up with the jack. Pull the jack stands away from the vehicle and lower the jack.
Start the car to ensure the starter is installed correctly. If the car starts then the starter is correct.
