Starter location

Tiny
LEADBOTTOM2
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD ESCORT
Sometimes my car will not start and other times it fires right up. Sometimes it clicks and other times it is just dead. We think it is the starter but we can not find it. We jacked it up and you can not see the starter. You can see the wire going from the battery down to the starter but then you run into other things and you can not feel or see the starter please can you help
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Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 AT 8:54 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
DSPLC
  • MECHANIC
  • 220 POSTS
Before going to the starter, check/clean first the battery clamps. The clamp/cable connected to the positive and the negative of the battery. More on the negative side of the battery. Make sure it is tight. If it is loose, symptoms on starting is the same.

Also before removing the starter, check first if the starter wires and cable nut are tight on connections, maybe it is just loose.

Here is a guide to help you change it out with diagrams below to show you how ion your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Starter is hidden on the other side of the engine close to the oil dipstick underneath the intake manifold. There are 3 bolts, 1 nut, and 1 solenoid terminal wire to remove. The two bolts can be removed above the car, the 3rd bolt, (12 Volt positive cable) nut, solenoid terminal wire can be removed underneath the car. The 2 bolts above the starter is the only thing accessible above the car, the rest of the starter removal is only accessible underneath the car. A little hard to remove because everything is so tight around it. If you will remove it by yourself, make sure to remove the negative side of the battery cable first. Good luck.
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Thursday, October 9th, 2008 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
THOMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Where is the starter on my car?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Follow big red wire from the battery down to the relay to the starter
between engine and tranny


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/99387_Image1_4.jpg

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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BVAUGHN2012
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD ESCORT
  • 2.1L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 212,000 MILES
Okay, so my car randomly decided to not even crank when I turn the key, ive tested the battery and cleaned terminals, lights, radio, dash icons, and ac blower all come on but the car wont even so much as make a sound. I've been looking all over under the hood, cannot locate that starter! I took the battery out and removed its resting plate, someone please help! A diagram would be lovely. So far, Google hasn't gave me anything I can use.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
I'm say that more than likely you have a problem with the ignition switch in the steering column. This which could be bad, or you could have a partially broken wire
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BVAUGHN2012
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
But that doesnt mean I shouldnt at least check my starter/solenoid with volt-meter first. Right? I just cannot for the life of me find it under the hood
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
According to my information, you do not have a solenoid on the firewall. Your starter is located on the bottom of the motor where the transmission meets the motor. The solenoid is attached to the starter. You'll need to safely raise the vehicle and get underneath to check power to the starter solenoid as you describe. To answer your question, yes it is a good idea to check for power at the solenoid, that way you can eliminate the solenoid and the switch as your problem at the same time
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BVAUGHN2012
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Everything I looked at on the internet until now told me driver's side firewall. Thats annoying! But thank you very much, you were a huge help!
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,136 POSTS
You're very welcome
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMS1018
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • FORD ESCORT
Hello! I have a Ford Escort ZX2 1998 don.T know the engine size but, I know it is a 4 cylinder. I just need to know where the starter is located? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanx
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMS1018
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I see it but the bolts are on top under the carb, is it going to be easier to remove it from the bottom or do I loosen it from the top then remove it from the bottom?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMS1018
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I will try this and if I have any further questions, I will be sure 2 find You!
Thanx again
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMS1018
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
What is wrong when the drive belt keeps jumping off and or breaking?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMS1018
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
My niece has the same car as I, but her's is a 2000 escort ZX2. If she hit a bump in the road or if it's raining the belt will come off or wind up breaking. Is something bent or loose?
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD ESCORT
  • 86,000 MILES
We're is the starter located on a 1998 ford escort
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It is either the front or the rear of the engine, about oil pan height and bolted into the transmission bell housing.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2020 AT 11:24 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VETERAN 72
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have an 2002 zx2, 1999 zx2, same issue would start most times but occasionally click, click, click. The starter is located underneath the intake assembly. I removed battery, battery tray. Had to remove 1 starter bolt from underneath the car. The rest of the starter removal was from under the intake. I took 2 wires about 4 feet long #10 gauge, soldered eye ends on each wire, one to the hot larger wire one to the solenoid. Then I put the starter back on, the battery and tray, not connecting the battery cables. About 2 feet of wire a put a 15 amp fuse on the solenoid side, then ran the wire through the fire wall up to the ignition switch. The plastic cover I drilled a hole and installed a starter button right next to the ignition key switch on the plastic cover. I basically by passed the ignition switch. The ignition switch is expensive. The starter button was $5.00, the fuse. Block was $ 5 dollars. 4 feet of wire under $5 dollars. Now I turn the original ignition to the on position use the starter button. Old school, haven't had the click issue. Make sure to clean your battery terminals and cables frequently the original ford seem to corrode more often. Hope this helps i've owned 4 zx2's and had to do 2 of these cars. The original ignition switch fails. Its worth the time to fix because eventually you will get stuck somewhere when the ignition switch finally fails for good.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Great info. Thanks for this addition to this site. Please come back any time and let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Thanks
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Thursday, September 24th, 2020 AT 11:26 AM

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