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Location of the Starter on a 94 Dodge B250 van


R_Lalau
09-14-2005, 04:52 AM
I am not a mechanic but I am station in Germany where it cost a 2 arms and 2 legs to fix a minor problem in the Germany economy. For example, I had the van tuneup (oil change, air filter, spark plugs and cable replace, brake shoes and pad replace) it came out to 1573 euro, which in US dollars is about $2210. Yes, I feel that I got ripped off, but we are pretty much at these people mercy when coming to fix our cars. There no such things as Midas, Sears auto shop, etc., etc., which I trully miss.

I don't have a manual, so can anyone tell me where the location of the Starter is at?

Is it easy to get to and have it replace?

Do you replace it from under the carriage or where?

Your input is very valueable and I tell the others Troops to go too the internet to order your parts and to this site for info.

Thanks in advance...

restrorob
09-15-2005, 06:19 PM
There is nothing to replacing this starter. It's located just under your gas pedal, There is only two bolts holding it onto the engine and the wires. Be sure to take the positive battery cable off BEFORE attempting removal. Just slide up under behind the left front tire and you can't miss it. Make sure you install the wires the same way you take them off.
Here is a link where you can look up parts and purchase if you like.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?PartType=123&PTSet=A&SearchFor=Starter

theFREAKnasty82
09-15-2005, 10:33 PM
actually, it's best to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. If you disconnect the positive, you run the risk of short circuiting your battery and/or arc welding the battery.

restrorob
09-16-2005, 05:58 AM
actually, it's best to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. If you disconnect the positive, you run the risk of short circuiting your battery and/or arc welding the battery.

Ok, I've been in the biz longer than you've been living, Can you explain how this is possible ?

theFREAKnasty82
09-16-2005, 12:44 PM
the negative terminal of the battery controls the ground(s) for the entire car; engine, body, chassis. If you just remove the positive terminal, and you have static electricity, you could induce voltage into a circuit, making it live, this is especially bad if you are around a computer circuit, that burns it up REALLY QUICK! Basic electrical principles: electricity needs a source, a load and a path to ground. Electricity will always travel the path of least resistance and will always find a way to travel home. Disconnecting the negative terminal doesn't allow electricity to go home. The other thing to look out for is if the battery is old & weak, it begins to emits gasses, since battery acid is made of sulfuric acid (H2SO4 chemical makeup) it emits Hydrogen gas. If you also leave the negative hooked up and place the positive on, you could cause sparks and sparks around hydrogen gas=big explosion. That's why I always disconnect the battery negative when I #1-replace a starter #2-replace an alternator. It's just a safety issue and a way of preventing big problems in the long run, especially with today's highly advanced computer systems.

restrorob
09-16-2005, 06:30 PM
Thats a good explanation, I will go 100% with the static electricity damaging computer components, But what would the odds percentage be of this happening just disconnecting the battery ?
If you disconnect the positive cable you are removing the source so there is no electricity to enter the system therefore no electricity to find it's way home to ground.
I am aware of older batterys emitting hydrogen gas, But I have seen just as many negative cables arc when reinstalled as positive because of the completion of the circuit when there is a draw from a computer or some other accessory left on (dome light when door is open).
Speaking of computers why do OEM's say to disconnect the positive battery cable for X amount of seconds to reset the computer ?
Don't take me wrong, I'm not trying to give you a hard time I'm just trying to figure out why I was schooled (yes three years of trade school ) and many years in doing things one way and now it is wrong.
I did retire from the biz a few years back so maybe they did re-write the book on auto repairs.
Thanks for your replies.

R_Lalau
09-16-2005, 09:20 PM
Thanks for the input. I read it somewhere where to remove the negative cable on the battery, but I will remove both the negative and positive just to really on the safe side. I hope this is acceptable.

Again, Thank very much..

theFREAKnasty82
09-18-2005, 10:19 PM
Thats a good explanation, I will go 100% with the static electricity damaging computer components, But what would the odds percentage be of this happening just disconnecting the battery ?
If you disconnect the positive cable you are removing the source so there is no electricity to enter the system therefore no electricity to find it's way home to ground.
I am aware of older batterys emitting hydrogen gas, But I have seen just as many negative cables arc when reinstalled as positive because of the completion of the circuit when there is a draw from a computer or some other accessory left on (dome light when door is open).
Speaking of computers why do OEM's say to disconnect the positive battery cable for X amount of seconds to reset the computer ?
Don't take me wrong, I'm not trying to give you a hard time I'm just trying to figure out why I was schooled (yes three years of trade school ) and many years in doing things one way and now it is wrong.
I did retire from the biz a few years back so maybe they did re-write the book on auto repairs.
Thanks for your replies.

Like you, I went to school for Automotive Technology, I have a 2-year A.S. degree in it. My instructor was stern for disconnecting the negative terminal. Like I said before, with electricity, you need a power source, a load, and a ground. If you remove the source, ok, no power can be induced from the source, but you still have the leg complete, the ground. Thus voltage can be induced from any other source, static electricity, a magnet, etc. That's why I was taught that it's vital to remove that negative terminal, you kill the path to ground, thus killing the circuit all together and you especially don't want to induce voltage to a circuit if you're working around an airbag. As far as the OEM manuals saying to disconnect the positive, I haven't seen that, most of them say to disconnect the negative, but yes disconnecting the PCM for about 15 seconds on average will reset everything, memory (ROM), DTCs, operating parameters, etc. This helps if you have a check engine light that stays on for a code that has already been fixed and you don't have the equipment to erase the code, i.e. code scanner. I know with Toyota, you have to remove the 15 amp EFI fuse for 15 seconds to erase trouble codes in memory. The only downside to disconnecting the battery is that after the memory has been wiped out, it has to go through a re-learn and may run rough, rich, and almost stall, but it does that to re-program itself. I hope this helps you understand it a little bit better. I always believe, to each his own, as long as you get the job done, great, but if someone came to me and told me something that could either save my life and prevent injuries or make the job go quicker, I'll listen and I'll adapt.

fredjacksonsan
10-18-2005, 08:33 AM
Thanks for the input. I read it somewhere where to remove the negative cable on the battery, but I will remove both the negative and positive just to really on the safe side. I hope this is acceptable.

Again, Thank very much..

THAT's the ticket, remove both and you have a no-issue. Unless it needs to be discussed which one to remove first. :icon16:

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