Question
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
Thank you.... I need to know what to look for? shape, color, wires, etc?? I am female and do not know my way around. I dont even know what a filter looks like. My car is a 3.5, 6 cylinder, lhd, chrysler.loaded.
when i turn it over all i hear is the clicking noise, this happened before and a man got under it and hit it with something and it started right up.
Would youprovide more info or something i can visually look at? Thanks again!
-----Question-----
hi there
i am trying to locate my starter for a 1995 chrysler lhs. it is on the drivers side by the front wheel, just not sure where and what to look for. i know if I hit it a few times it will start again for me but I have to find it first.
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Hi R Sherwood,
On both the 3.3 and 3.5L engines it is indeed on the driver's (left) side, and you can locate it at about the same level as the oil filter but located to the rear of the dipstick tube near the rear of the engine. So find the oil filter, then look directly to the rear from there, and you will see it with the rear tip of it inserted into the flange at the engine-transmission interface.
Roland
AnswerOK.
The starter motor is cylindrical in shape and usually dark metal color. It is about 6 inches in diameter and about 10 inches long and it is mounted on its side with the axis parallel to the engine/vehicle axis. You know where the oil level dipstick is: To the fore of that slim tube is the oil filter, also cylindrical. I mention that because it is at the same vertical depth on that side of the engine as is the starter motor. So if you then look to the aft of the dipstick tube about a foot or so, the only object you are likely to see is the cylindrical object lying sideways with its far end attached to the rear flange of the engine (i.e., the seam that is connecting the engine to the next section of the powertrain, the transmission). On the front end of the cylinder you should see a group of 2 wires wrapped together whose ends are attached to terminals on the motor. If you can get someone to try the starter motor using the ignition key, the loud click in fact issues from the starter motor, so that sound will also help you locate it. As to tapping it on the side, that may be a bit tricky from above (you recounted a man doing from underneath) but if you have a light to locate it, then you may very well be able to tap the side of the cylinder with a medium size hammer while the helper tries the starter with the key.
This "fix" will ultimately however become ineffective and the starter motor will need to be removed and rebuilt, or have an exchange rebuilt motor installed in its place. This is a common repair and not really that difficult from underneath the car, elevated safely on a jack stand.
Another possibility is that your battery is not putting out enough voltage/current to operate the starter, just enough to make its switch click. So if the battery is nearing the age equal to its warranty period, that may be something to consider replacing as a possible fix. At least you might have it checked and recharged if it appears to be ok but low on charge.
So have a look and a try and good luck.
Roland
