1997 Pontiac Bonneville; can someone tell me how to remove the starter?
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Joined: Feb 2012
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1997 Pontiac Bonneville; can someone tell me how to remove the starter?
I have a 1997 Pontiac Bonneville that the starter/solenoid has gone out. I have a Chilton'* manual which cover about 100 cars and is useless. It says in some models you may have to remove crossmember in some models part of the exhaust system. There isn't a straight forward procedure and I can't find any pictures as to how it is removed. Can someone please help me find pictures of what needs to be removed to gain access to starter bolts ?
Thanks
Thanks
Retired
Certified Car Nut
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,960
Likes: 1,839
From: Dark Side, AZ
This writeup was done on my own 97 Bonneville, so it should work for you too.
These instructions should also work on older and newer vehicles.
Tools needed:
3/8 drive ratchet.
10mm, 13mm and a 15mm.
Extensions
5/16 socket for battery terminals.
I have noticed a size difference between the nuts for the starter solenoid. So having different size sockets will be needed.
Ramps are handy here. It will get the front end up high enough to give you plent of elbow room.
SAFETY BRIEF!
1. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!! I used a 5/16 socket on mine. If you don't disconnect the battery, you WILL see a pretty spark show underneath when your pulling the starter out.
Get underneath. You will notice a plastic cover that covers the flywheel access area. Remove the 2 bottom facing 10mm bolts. There is a 3rd 10mm bolt that faces towards the radiator hidden behind the transmission mount shock. Use a 1/4" drive socket for this one. Once the 3 bolts are out, it will take some fanangling to remove the covers.
I used a flex head 3/8 drive ratchet and a 15mm for the forward starter bolt. It is a tight area, so universal sockets or a ratchet such as this one will work.
Now for the second bolt. This one is also a 15mm, normal ratchet and an extension will work fine here.
WARNING: The starter is HEAVY. Be ready to support the starter when removing the 2nd bolt.
Again, you will need to fanangle the starter out between the engine and sub-frame assembly.
CAUTION: The starter has 2 different length bolts. The short bolt is closest to the radiator and the long one is to towards the flywheel.
Once the starter is out, you can use a 13mm socket for the nut on the starter and depending a 5/16 on the smaller solenoid nut.
I have always found it easier to disconnect the cables after the starter is out. But it is possible to remove them before the starter is out. Its personal preference.
Reinstallation is just the reverse.
Tools needed:
3/8 drive ratchet.
10mm, 13mm and a 15mm.
Extensions
5/16 socket for battery terminals.
I have noticed a size difference between the nuts for the starter solenoid. So having different size sockets will be needed.
Ramps are handy here. It will get the front end up high enough to give you plent of elbow room.
SAFETY BRIEF!
1. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!! I used a 5/16 socket on mine. If you don't disconnect the battery, you WILL see a pretty spark show underneath when your pulling the starter out.
Get underneath. You will notice a plastic cover that covers the flywheel access area. Remove the 2 bottom facing 10mm bolts. There is a 3rd 10mm bolt that faces towards the radiator hidden behind the transmission mount shock. Use a 1/4" drive socket for this one. Once the 3 bolts are out, it will take some fanangling to remove the covers.
I used a flex head 3/8 drive ratchet and a 15mm for the forward starter bolt. It is a tight area, so universal sockets or a ratchet such as this one will work.
Now for the second bolt. This one is also a 15mm, normal ratchet and an extension will work fine here.
WARNING: The starter is HEAVY. Be ready to support the starter when removing the 2nd bolt.
Again, you will need to fanangle the starter out between the engine and sub-frame assembly.
CAUTION: The starter has 2 different length bolts. The short bolt is closest to the radiator and the long one is to towards the flywheel.
Once the starter is out, you can use a 13mm socket for the nut on the starter and depending a 5/16 on the smaller solenoid nut.
I have always found it easier to disconnect the cables after the starter is out. But it is possible to remove them before the starter is out. Its personal preference.
Reinstallation is just the reverse.
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,468
Likes: 592
From: VA
My engine cover will never go back on though, I want to hear my engine better when driving.
Good write-up for the starter.
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