Expert: Roland Finston - 12/3/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Roland,
   I am trying to install a new starter on my 2000 300m 3.5 V6 and I cannot get it to seat properly and bolt in. I have tried to move it in different positions and it not working. I had no problems removing the old starter at all.
Any advice you can provide is greatly appreciated.

Bill

ANSWER: Hi Bill,
You may have been able to remove the starter motor without going through the process described in the '98 manual (so it should apply to your '00) but now it is difficult to go backwards in the process. Here is how it is described:
Disconnect the battery
Raise the vehicle
Remove one nut from the catalytic converter support bracket
Remove two nuts from catalytic support bracket mounting
Remove two electrical connectors (battery feed and posilock connector)
Remove 2 bolts and nut holding starter to engine
Remove battery positive feed wire from stater
Remove stater solenoid assembly from transmission housing. Position starter to get access to the posi-lock connection
Use a jack to slightly lift engine so as to remove pressure on the left engine mount
Remove three left engine mounting bolts from engine block
Jack engine up a bit more to give more room to remove starter
Slide the starter motor out between the catalytic converter and the engine mount
Disconnect the posi-lock connector from the starter solenoid
That unfortunately is it! Install is the reverse.
Does you have a floor jack to gently lift up the engine as described?
A nearly identical procedure (no mention of the support bracket and bracket mounting of the catalytic converter) is given in the '04 manual.
Please let me know if this is helpful.
Roland
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Roland


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Roland,
    I raised the engine with a floor jack to free up the motor mount and remove it. The catalytic converter support bracket and catalytic converter support mounting bracket are not in the way at all and removing them is not mentioned in the Haynes repair manual either.
   Would it do me any good to try to move the starter gears a few notches? Or, turn the crank-flywheel a bit?

Bill

Answer
Hi Bill,
Sure, just turn the bolt on the crankshaft pulley would be easy to try. Other than that, I caon't imagine why this would happen unless for some reason the unit is not the correct one for that engine. Please let me know what solves it.
Roland