[Qwert]

Hi Guys, I'm replacing the starter on my TL. (Car won't start, battery checks out good at O'Rielly's, starter doesn't crank when jumpered directly to the battery (as per repair manual))

I've removed the battery, the plastic battery well the batty sits in, and disconnected the power to the starter.

The issue is getting access to the two mounting bolts. I think that I can get to the mounting bolt on the top right. But to get to the mounting bolt on the bottom left it looks like I either need to remove the self that batty sits on (which I'm not sure I can really do - it looks like there are two bolts on the side that hold it on, but's it's on pretty solid so I'm guessing that there is something it's attached to underneath), or come at it from the bottom. If I come at it from the bottom, it looks like there is a protection screen/plate that I need to remove.

They said that you could do this from the top of the car, and it will be a real pain to jack my car up to get underneath because of access. So I was hoping that someone with a clue whose done this before could clue me in.

Thanks

 

[guitarplayer16]

You will have to remove the battery tray.

After the battery tray is removed, you'll have all the space you need to remove the starter.

Cheers

 

[Qwert]

Thanks for the info. I'll take it off in the next couple days. Real quick the two bolts on the engine side are just mount points for wire harnesses, is it only held on by the two bolts on away from the engine?

Thanks.

 

[guitarplayer16]

Here's the scan for removing the battery tray:

Here's the scan for the starter:

I did it a while ago so my memory isn't that good. I just remember taking out the battery tray took the most time and replacing the starter actually only took like 5 minutes.

 

[ndersfeopew]

Thank you for*good*communication.

 

[MS90]

Hi - replacing the starter on my 2006 TL was the first mechanical repair I attempted to do on any car I've ever owned. After leaving the electronics on too long and draining the battery two times in one week (was living out of my car at the time - yes, I know I should have turned the engine on at some point) I only got a clicking sound from the engine after turning the key, while all the dash lights came on and all other electronics worked. I thought it was my battery but after AAA checked it out and saw it was in "good" health, the mechanic (whose experience I am unaware of) told me it "sounded like my starter." He hit the starter a few time with part of his jack a few times and while it didn't start during the tapping of the starter - it started after. I decided I would try and take care of this ASAP although my car was able to start without any issues two times after the AAA incident.

I was able to get an Ultima remanufactured starter at O'Reilly's for about $150 ($125 + core fee). I also had no tools other than a screwdriver so I picked up a basic wrench set, breaker bar and two sockets (10mm and 12mm). I watched the "How to Replace Starter on Acura TL" video a couple times and was actually able to change it myself in about three hours. One of these hours was spent making sure I had the correct tools (bought a breaker bar with a 1/2" square at the end, instead of the smaller kind), and another hour and a half spent removing the battery tray. As mentioned above - this is the hardest part of the whole procedure! The two screws not visible from above the tray are a huge pain but THEY CAN BE REMOVED with a basic 12mm wrench! Removing the old starter and replacing it with the new one was easier than I expected and there were no daunting connections that I felt I needed to be qualified to make correctly. That part took 10 minutes, just like everyone said. Everything slid into place, and reattached to the new starter fine. Replaced the battery tray and car started no problem so I could only assume that I had installed the starter correctly.

Anyway, long story short, I was able to do this myself without any problems and after returning all the tools used ($60), and my old starter which would refund the "core fee," the whole operation cost me just about $130 and a few hours. I have a job that demands about 12 hours a day and a boss that has no forgiveness for car trouble. I COULD NOT afford to have my car in the shop for more than a day or pay over $300. I was able to do this with half the amount of money (or less) and an eighth of the time. If you've never worked on your car before but have used a wrench, you can do this.
Thanks to all those who contributed info here!