Tips on replacing the starter on my spider 20000
Asked by racegaldonna Sep 04, 2010 at 08:04 PM about the 1980 FIAT 124 Spider
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Starter went out my spider. We have the new replacement starter but the husband is frustrated with where to start. Any comments or ideas??
4 Answers
There are three bolts, the top two are hard to reach. Must be done from under the car if you can put it on ramps or jackstands. Use a long extension on a 13mm socket with a u-joint. There isn't much room between the starter and firewall where the wrench has to go. You'll want to disconnect the wires first. The whole project shouldn't take more than a couple hours, but you'll get your arms dirty.
travelerleroy answered 8 years ago
don't forget the 3 10mm bolts on the back of the starter, take them off first. You must lift the car off the ground and crawl under to get the front bolts (3) off, and you can see the two upper bolts if you look up by the clutch cable and you will see them, the top one must be set last leaving the two lower on loose so the rim on the starter seals right, check this rim before you set the rear three bolts. this is a harder starter than most because you have no room to work with, good luck
Alaskan_Fiat answered 6 years ago
Very simple.. Put vehicle on ramps. Remove battery cable. Three bolts to remove and a cable. Remove starter. Rebuild starter. Bench test. Reinstall.
travelerleroy answered 6 years ago
Not very easy, disconnect battery, disconnect starter wires (battery wire, solenoid wire). Put up on Jack stands front and back, crawl under - Use a 2-foot extension for the top bolt and a universal socket joint on the end by the 13mm fitting take out your bolts. pull the old starter out from the top, put in the new starter from top and line up close to starter opening and bolt pattern of starter. set your bolt on the end of your 13mm socket if you can not fit your hand in by the top of the transmission for the top bolt ( I Cant). (three bolts in all, 13mm,45-50 lb/t), the bottom bolt has a ground strap to the frame; must be well grounded or your starter will not start so clean all the ground contacts of all paint and grease. reconnect battery, look for shorts in wires and do a very quick test start (turn over) before taking off jack stands, do not let the car start on jack stands, if it has a good crank take off jack stands and start and road test, GOOD LUCK.
