Quick starter removal question.....

[OhioSpyderman]

1994 VR4, do you HAVE to unbolt the downpipe to replace the starter?

Thanks in advance....

Bob.

[stealthee]

I never have.

[OhioSpyderman]

Does it being a 6sp/AWD make any difference?

Bob.

[Jimvr4]

I don't think so. The M/T removal steps in the manual call for removing the Right Member, then starter cover, then starter. No mention of downpipe.

[OhioSpyderman]

Stealth 316 - Starter

[OhioSpyderman]

Here's a little background on the reason for the question....

My oldest son called from Toledo Wednesday night to say that his car would not stay running, based on some tests he ran, I ordered and IAC from Rock Auto to be there Friday. We were headed that way Friday morning to move him into a new house (along with my middle son, his g/f and his old roommate. Got to Toledo, emptied the 17" truck with my middle son's stuff [also had more furniture, mower, fridge......]). Then headed to Alex's to get his stuff (oldest). Loaded it full and he said he had an errand and would meet us at the new house.

Fast forward 20 minutes, frantic call saying car would not start...heard a clicking from the engine bay.

Exchanged vehicles at the new house and headed back to troubleshoot. Battery was good, all lights and other accessories worked, only click from what I thought was the starter relay. His car has YOUR neutral safety circuit [Jim ], so I wasn't sure if what I was about to try would work: Boys got behind the car, I put the car in first with clutch fully depressed, key in ON position...push...VROOM...push start...good, we can get back to the new house.

We located a starter and went to work on the IAC (he also had slave issues a few weeks back, got a crappy replacement, so I had ordered a slave, SS clutch line and speed bleeder from 3SX, so we installed those as well).
NOTE: battery and tray were removed....

Got the car re-assembled (hadn't touched the starter yet) and for shits and grins he tries to start the car....VROOM...WTF?

We're thinking the battery pull somehow "unconfused" his alarm/auto start system (he had been complaining about his auto start not working right lately too).

He still has the new starter, and just in case he get "stuck" again, I asked the original question...

Feel free to add ANY input/opinions>>>

Bob.

[OhioSpyderman]

Can anyone give me a definitive answer?

I "think" I see where you're getting your info from Jim, but it's not straight forward to me....

Jeff's info is good for a 5 speed/1g....

Surely someone has had to replace a starter in a 2g TT, no? (If NOT, I'm emailing Ripley's...I KNOW they won't believe it....)

Bob.

[TwIzTeD_3kGt]

Pretty sure you can just unbolt the 2 bolts without removing anything. If you have swivel sockets or adapters they would come in handy. Mine slides out over my Stillen down-pipe.

[dbest671]

The general consensus is you do NOT have to remove the downpipe. However that shield can be a royal PITA to get off with the downpipe on. If you leave the downpipe on and get the shield off, it just a matter of limited space for tools and wiggle room. But to answer your question, yes the started can be removed with the downpipe still on.

[OhioSpyderman]

Thank you Twisted (I need your real name for my chat list and April (I'm assuming it's you, April...).

Not sure what my son has downpipe wise....have NOT been underneath it (YET )

My main concern is all he has is a jack, jack stands, decent tools (wish I would have remembered to leave the BPBlaster I bought him when I was there, but I accidently brought it back in the wife's van...)

Again, thanks...

Bob.