Replacing the starter motor on the engine of your 1999 Chrysler Town and Country with a new or rebuilt unit may be necessary if the starter motor has started making noise, dragging or stopped working altogether. The starter motor is located at the rear of the engine compartment; it is mounted to the back of the transversely-mounted engine. Optional engines for the 1999 Town and Country include the 2.4-liter, the 3.1-liter, the 3.3-liter and the 3.8-liter powerplants. The starter mounts in the same location on all these engines and is replaced using the same method.
Open the hood of your van and locate the negative battery cable end. Loosen the clamp bolt on the cable end with a wrench, then remove the negative cable and isolate it from the battery terminal.
Raise the front of the van with a jack and position a set of jack stands under the frame to support the van. Lower the jack, allowing the van to settle onto the stands.
Slide under the van and locate the starter on the back side of the engine (as viewed from underneath). Remove the retaining nut from the "B" terminal on the starter with a small socket and ratchet, then slide the cable off the post, pushing it out of the way.
Remove the lower starter bolt, using a socket and ratchet to rotate it counterclockwise. Set the bolt aside. Remove the two upper starter bolts, using the same process, then pull the starter out of the bell housing and lower it out of the engine compartment.
Raise the new starter into the engine compartment, sliding the nose of the starter into the bell housing opening. Insert the upper mounting bolt and tighten it finger-tight. Insert the lower two mounting bolts and tighten them finger-tight, as well.
Torque the upper and lower mounting bolts to 40 pounds-foot with a torque wrench. Install the battery cable on the rear of the starter solenoid, then tighten the nut with a wrench until it is secure. Do not over-tighten it, or you will crack the plastic housing.
Raise the front of the van off the jack stands with a jack, then remove the stands. Lower the jack, setting the van on the ground, then remove the jack from under the van.
Install the negative battery cable end onto the negative battery terminal. Tighten the clamp bolt with a wrench. Close the hood and test the repair by starting the van.
