If you are noticing that your 1997 Mercury Sable is having difficulty starting, then you may need to replace the starter soon. There are several possible reasons for the car not starting, but if you suspect the starter, most auto parts stores will check it for you to be sure. It may need to be replaced, or it may only need a new solenoid.
Park your 1997 Mercury Sable on a level surface. Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels. Raise the car by using the floor jack and place the jack stands under the pinch-weld jacking points behind each front wheel. Lower the car onto the jack stands and remove the jack.
Remove the negative (black) battery cable from your 1997 Mercury Sable.
Crawl underneath your 1997 Mercury Sable and locate the starter at the rear of the engine on the driver's side.The starter is about half the size of a standard football and looks like two cylinders stuck together--one large, one small, with wires running to the small one. Disconnect the electrical connectors; one is a pull-apart connection, and another, larger one has a copper nut you must unscrew with a wrench. Use a flat-head screwdriver, if you need to, to pry the plastic connector apart.
Use your socket wrench to remove the two starter bolts. Remove the starter from the engine.
Install the new starter. Reconnect the electrical connection tab and the larger wire and nut. Do not overtighten the nut, or you may crack the plastic solenoid case.
Lower the car to the ground. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
