Walrus and I decided it was time to replace my starter. Note that Walrus did most of the hard work, but I got to take pictures and notes
My starter will "click" and then start, it's been going on for about a month and getting worse so today was the day to do the replacement.
We purchased the starter from Nissan. Note they only have rebuilt but all the parts are new and factory reassembled. We did not want to chance it with the China knockoff. The cost is ~ $325 and you will want to purchase the intake gaskets at the same time.
Total time 2.5 Hours, with an experienced mechanic.
Anyway
This thread details all the steps with pictures.
1. Remove the splash panel ... 4 bolts
2. Remove the engine cover
3. Drain coolant : (Note: You do not need to drain all the coolant, just enough that it will be below the coolant bypass hose on the throttle body)
4. Pull the fuel pump fuse (15amp 7th space over)
5. Try and start the truck a couple of times to remove pressure from the fuel rail.
6. Pull the battery cable (remove power)
7. Remove the fuel rail connector and pull the fuel line. Here is the tool used
This is the fuel rail connector
8. Remove the transmission fill tube bolt
9. Remove the intake air tube. It's the big black tube in the background. Note that you only need to take it off the intake, but you do not need to completely remove it.
10. Remove the service port for the fuel pressure regulator
11. Remove the brake booster vacuum line
12. Remove 2 PCV’s hoses
13. Remove the fuel injector connections (8 ) Push the tab at the top of the connector
14. Remove the throttle position sensor plug
15. Remove the coolant bypass hose
16. Remove 1 more hose on the throttle body
17. Remove the Evap canister control valve connector
18. Remove wire zip tie connectors, be careful to pull out the tie holders so they don't break off the holding pins.
19. Remove 10 intake bolts (Use 10mm) See the tool we used to reach the ones in the back.
20. Remove the intake
21. Vacuum out the edges where dirt and sand accumulate
22. Towel over the top the of the intake
23. Remove the tie that holds the start wire
24. Remove the connector for the starter
25. Climb in and remove the 2 bolts that hold the starter (Note: Very hard to remove). NOTE: Be careful, I have an all-aluminum rad so it’s a bit stronger than the OEM plastic ones that could break if you put too much weight on them.
26. Remove the black cover over the starter wire (save the cover). It has the white dot on it in the picture
27. Remove the starter wire using a 12mm socket
28. Remove and replace the intake gaskets
29. Vacuum under the starter where the twigs and berries gather. You will see it...
30. Clean the top of the engine before reinstalling the intake.
31. Install the new starter and work your way back through the process.
Notes: Remember to re-install the fuel pump fuse and if you have an anti-theft device, be sure to reset it. (Ask me how I know this )
Helpful tip... Use a towel to cover the front of the truck so that it will hold tools better and make it a little more comfortable to work on the engine.
Thanks to jhays here is the tightening pattern for the intake...
The torque for the starter bolts is 34 ft-lbs and the electrical terminal nut is 96 in-lbs.
My starter will "click" and then start, it's been going on for about a month and getting worse so today was the day to do the replacement.
We purchased the starter from Nissan. Note they only have rebuilt but all the parts are new and factory reassembled. We did not want to chance it with the China knockoff. The cost is ~ $325 and you will want to purchase the intake gaskets at the same time.
Total time 2.5 Hours, with an experienced mechanic.
Anyway
This thread details all the steps with pictures.
1. Remove the splash panel ... 4 bolts
2. Remove the engine cover
3. Drain coolant : (Note: You do not need to drain all the coolant, just enough that it will be below the coolant bypass hose on the throttle body)
4. Pull the fuel pump fuse (15amp 7th space over)
5. Try and start the truck a couple of times to remove pressure from the fuel rail.
6. Pull the battery cable (remove power)
7. Remove the fuel rail connector and pull the fuel line. Here is the tool used
This is the fuel rail connector
8. Remove the transmission fill tube bolt
9. Remove the intake air tube. It's the big black tube in the background. Note that you only need to take it off the intake, but you do not need to completely remove it.
10. Remove the service port for the fuel pressure regulator
11. Remove the brake booster vacuum line
12. Remove 2 PCV’s hoses
13. Remove the fuel injector connections (8 ) Push the tab at the top of the connector
14. Remove the throttle position sensor plug
15. Remove the coolant bypass hose
16. Remove 1 more hose on the throttle body
17. Remove the Evap canister control valve connector
18. Remove wire zip tie connectors, be careful to pull out the tie holders so they don't break off the holding pins.
19. Remove 10 intake bolts (Use 10mm) See the tool we used to reach the ones in the back.
20. Remove the intake
21. Vacuum out the edges where dirt and sand accumulate
22. Towel over the top the of the intake
23. Remove the tie that holds the start wire
24. Remove the connector for the starter
25. Climb in and remove the 2 bolts that hold the starter (Note: Very hard to remove). NOTE: Be careful, I have an all-aluminum rad so it’s a bit stronger than the OEM plastic ones that could break if you put too much weight on them.
26. Remove the black cover over the starter wire (save the cover). It has the white dot on it in the picture
27. Remove the starter wire using a 12mm socket
28. Remove and replace the intake gaskets
29. Vacuum under the starter where the twigs and berries gather. You will see it...
30. Clean the top of the engine before reinstalling the intake.
31. Install the new starter and work your way back through the process.
Notes: Remember to re-install the fuel pump fuse and if you have an anti-theft device, be sure to reset it. (Ask me how I know this )
Helpful tip... Use a towel to cover the front of the truck so that it will hold tools better and make it a little more comfortable to work on the engine.
Thanks to jhays here is the tightening pattern for the intake...
The torque for the starter bolts is 34 ft-lbs and the electrical terminal nut is 96 in-lbs.