How to Replace Starter 02-13 Toyota Camry
Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Toyota Camry
Replace the starter, including removing the air intake box for access, on a 2002-2013 Toyota Camry.
Tools you will need
- 12mm socket
- Socket extensions
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Torque wrench
- 14mm socket
- 10mm wrench
- 10mm socket
- Ratchet
- Needle-nose pliers
- 12mm wrench
Parts and supplies
- Starter
Steps
- Disconnect the battery
Loosen the negative terminal with a 10mm wrench.
- Remove the air intake box
Pry up the shroud cover's seven body clips with a flat blade screwdriver, remove the cover, disconnect the vacuum line from the intake tube, loosen the hose clamp's 10mm bolt, remove the air filter housing's three 10mm bolts, disconnect the MAF sensor, pull back the housing's clips and disconnect its vacuum lines, lift the cover, unclip the wiring harness, remove the housing cover and intake tube from the throttle body, remove the air filter, unclip the vacuum line and MAF sensor from the box, pull the air intake box straight up off its grommets, then remove the air intake dam's 10mm bolts and set it aside.
- Remove the old starter
Pull back the positive cable's boot, remove its bolt with a 12mm wrench, set the cable aside, disconnect the wiring harness, remove the starter's two 14mm bolts, then remove it.
- Inspect the starter
Check the ground wire for corrosion or breaks, which points to the starter itself, or inspect the flywheel if a whirring noise suggested worn gears.
- Install the new starter
Set it into place, tighten its 14mm bolts and torque them to about 27 ft-lb, connect the solenoid wiring harness and the positive cable, tighten its bolt firmly with the 12mm wrench, then refit the boot.
- Reinstall the air box
Connect the air dam and box and set them in together, connect the vacuum lines, tighten the box's three 10mm bolts and the dam's two 10mm bolts, clip in the vacuum line and MAF sensor harness, insert the air filter, seat the box on its prongs and secure its clamps, reconnect the MAF sensor harness and the two vacuum lines, connect the intake tube, then tighten the hose clamp's 10mm bolt.
- Reconnect the battery
Tighten the negative terminal with the 10mm wrench, then refit the front shroud and its seven clips.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.