Starter Stuck on
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Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Orange Park, Florida
Starter Stuck on
Updated.
2004 Ranger Edge 3.0. Starter is starting to grind once in a while so I got used one and went to change. Used starter is from another 2004 4x2 3.0 Ranger.
Battery disconnect, both nuts removed, two lower 13MM bolts removed easily. Hand twisted them out half the way. Reach around the top of the solenoid , directly under the oil filter and find one more bolt. Actually able to remove with bolt by hand. Turned out to be 15mm. Felt every place I could reach and no additional bolts found. Starter will not budge. Tapped it with a hammer, tried to use a flat tip to brake it lose, hooked it back up and tapped the starter, and still will not budge. 15mm bolt does not fit hole in new starter.
Starter still works so buttoning it back up. I was unable to get the 15mm bolt back in easily. I could spend an hour slowing twisting it by hand but since I need to do an oil change later anyway I figured I would wait. Removing the oil filter will give me room to use a ratchet. Since I removed this bolt from a tight location, blindly by hand I don't think it was securing anything. Daughter needs the truck tomorrow so I will wait to tear back into it.
My questions. Could I somehow still have a bolt I missed? Anyone ever experience anything like this? I have changed starters in VW, Mustangs and other so while not a mech I am experienced and this should not be that hard. Appreciate any input and the help provided so far.
2004 Ranger Edge 3.0. Starter is starting to grind once in a while so I got used one and went to change. Used starter is from another 2004 4x2 3.0 Ranger.
Battery disconnect, both nuts removed, two lower 13MM bolts removed easily. Hand twisted them out half the way. Reach around the top of the solenoid , directly under the oil filter and find one more bolt. Actually able to remove with bolt by hand. Turned out to be 15mm. Felt every place I could reach and no additional bolts found. Starter will not budge. Tapped it with a hammer, tried to use a flat tip to brake it lose, hooked it back up and tapped the starter, and still will not budge. 15mm bolt does not fit hole in new starter.
Starter still works so buttoning it back up. I was unable to get the 15mm bolt back in easily. I could spend an hour slowing twisting it by hand but since I need to do an oil change later anyway I figured I would wait. Removing the oil filter will give me room to use a ratchet. Since I removed this bolt from a tight location, blindly by hand I don't think it was securing anything. Daughter needs the truck tomorrow so I will wait to tear back into it.
My questions. Could I somehow still have a bolt I missed? Anyone ever experience anything like this? I have changed starters in VW, Mustangs and other so while not a mech I am experienced and this should not be that hard. Appreciate any input and the help provided so far.
Last edited by Navdawg; Aug 14, 2020 at 11:43 AM.
3.0l has 3 bolts on bellhousing
I don't remember one being on the end of it, for engine boltup
If memory serves, the bolts go thru the bell housing to threaded holes on starter, so you could loosen the bolts a bit and tap them with a hammer to push starter motor out a bit
I don't remember one being on the end of it, for engine boltup
If memory serves, the bolts go thru the bell housing to threaded holes on starter, so you could loosen the bolts a bit and tap them with a hammer to push starter motor out a bit
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Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
I know this thread is decently old, but I came around the same issue a few days ago and figured I'd make a reply if some random comes searching for answers.
Saw the mention of two 13mm and one 15mm and figured you came across the same thing I did. After practically destroying the starter (an air hammer and a prayer) to get it off I noticed that I had missed a bolt, and out of confusion of seeing a third 13mm I had realized that the 15mm I felt up there was just another bolt for the bellhousing and not the starter. Noticed when putting the new starter on that the third 13mm was bolted in from the rear towards the front like the other two 13mm bolts, while the 15mm was bolted in front to rear.
Obviously this was just my experience, and I have no clue if Ford started using a 15mm for that third starter bolt or not, but I figured it wasn't just a coincidence that another ranger user came across the exact same issue. Also noticed how the 15mm and 13mm were both the same thread pitch and size so I completely understand the confusion. No clue if this'll help anyone, but I know it made me angry enough to make an entire reply about it so it must be worth something lol.
Saw the mention of two 13mm and one 15mm and figured you came across the same thing I did. After practically destroying the starter (an air hammer and a prayer) to get it off I noticed that I had missed a bolt, and out of confusion of seeing a third 13mm I had realized that the 15mm I felt up there was just another bolt for the bellhousing and not the starter. Noticed when putting the new starter on that the third 13mm was bolted in from the rear towards the front like the other two 13mm bolts, while the 15mm was bolted in front to rear.
Obviously this was just my experience, and I have no clue if Ford started using a 15mm for that third starter bolt or not, but I figured it wasn't just a coincidence that another ranger user came across the exact same issue. Also noticed how the 15mm and 13mm were both the same thread pitch and size so I completely understand the confusion. No clue if this'll help anyone, but I know it made me angry enough to make an entire reply about it so it must be worth something lol.
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