replace starter cable 99V70xc

Post by **Pauloil** » 24 Aug 2011, 20:12

am going to replace starter cable this weekend and wonder: do I need to take fan out? or can I get at the starter from below after taking the air guide out down below?

Post by **vjaneczko** » 24 Aug 2011, 20:18

I haven't replaced the starter, but I know the fan is held in place with 4 screws and real easy to pull. Plus, it will give you extra room in getting at the starter - which I don't think you'll be able to get at from the bottom. I had a hard time getting the support bolts on the manifold from the bottom, which are right next to the starter.

Post by **Pauloil** » 24 Aug 2011, 20:24

all i'm doing is cable to starter and wonder if I can get at it from below or do I need to pull fan?

Lost Dog · Post by **Lost Dog** » 24 Aug 2011, 20:35

Pauloil wrote:all i'm doing is cable to starter and wonder if I can get at it from below or do I need to pull fan?

I just pulled my starter (not the cable) and it seems like your job would be much easier from the top. I have small hands and could do it without pulling the fan but in the future removing the fan would make life better.

Post by **E Showell** » 26 Aug 2011, 10:00

I know you asked about the cable only, but I replaced both the negative battery cable and starter last Summer. Both are relatively inaccessible, but I did both w/o removing the fan. Read on if curious as to how I managed.

My recollection with the negative battery cable was that I did it from below with air guide removed. I do recall it was done sideways on a sloping driveway without a jack or jack stands, which was not a recipe for success. If you try from below, it will definitely help to have the car on two front jackstands.

I replaced my '98 V70 (FWD, non-turbo) starter last year. I did not remove the fan, although some had recommended it. The primary reason I did not do so were tons of ancillary electrical & vacuum connections that I was not sure I'd get back on correctly if I removed them. I did remove the air cleaner box, battery and battery tray, however.

I have pretty small hands and could just barely manage to get in and maneuver in there. The space is quite tight. There are only three bolts holding the starter in, but on one, I probably only got 1/16 of a revolution with each wrench turn due to the tight spacing.

If you don't mind a few skinned knuckles and a bit of cursing it can be done w/o removing the fan. Air guide was not an issue as I did it from the top. Hadn't really even considered doing it from below -- it just looked more accessible from up top.

I am a decidely average DIY wrench and managed the entire job in three hours going at a quite deliberate pace with a break here and there.

Had I pushed it, I probably could have shaved off a half-hour to 45 min., but I would have been really cranking (pun intended).

Something to be aware of -- the starter mates to a stud (unthreaded) that guides it into position. The starter is a tad heavy. To get it out you'll have to jiggle it back and forth a bit to disengage from the stud and there is not much room to do that jiggling. Be patient, it is quite doable and no more difficult than doing brakes rotors and pads if you've done those before.

Good luck.