Replacing Starter on my 2003 Toyota Matrix

[ctuck]

I was having intermittent starting problems that became a continuous starting problem. Thankfully, I have manual transmission and have been able to compression start my car, or push start it. I replaced the battery that was maybe 8 years old, yet was still in good condition. I also was able, after pulling the starter out, to get the starter to run

Comments

[toyotaservice]

pretty good diy, i've done these countless times at the shop.

[ctuck]

I can imagine. The older unit lasted me since 2003, so I have to give it it's due. Yet when I opened the box on the new part, I was surprised by the difference in size for the motor and solenoid.

You may know, does Toyota sell/have an adapter for the + Cable Terminal? I didn't dig into to it too much, there may be a way to get some more cable length by adjusting that cable. That looked like there would be a fair amount of wiggling and adjusting, so a little jumper was just a quicker solution.

[anonymous]

Just wanted to say thanks. Saw the ehow stuff and other instructions, but still couldn't wrap my head around the hidden bolt (or find it). You helped tremendously. It's running great.
Have a great day.

[ctuck]

Glad it helped and am glad you were able to find it. What year Matrix do you have?

[anonymous]

Boy I had the same problem finding that top bolt. You really help me. Thank you. Now how do you mesh the gear protruding from the starter and the gear in the bell housing?

[ctuck]

I didn't have any problem with he gears meshing properly. If you can get the gear in a little, toward the edge of the housing and sort of turn the starter into place, it should just mesh the gears. Did you find you had a lot of issue?

[anonymous]

Ctuck,, replacing starter in a 2003 matrix will the PGMR version still replace the OGSR version? The bell housing end look totally different. Thanks for any pointers in advance.
RJ

[ctuck]

RJ,
Yes, both models worked fine. I ended up replacing it again this year. This time found the same model I had pulled out before... Different vendors I guess.

[anonymous]

There is no hidden bolt on the side between the starter and motor bc I am looking at with mirror and looked.. but it still won't come off easily

[anonymous]

Your added notes to the instructions were spot on. If you had not added your notes I would have never figured out where the top bolt was located and therefore would of hAd to pay someone to remove the starter since i am not mechanically inclined.. Thank you much!!!

[ctuck]

Glad you found it helpful!