Ford focus starter wont fit

logan.l said:

EDIT: i am not a smart man. i realize now that the smaller bolt between the two big is the one i need not both large orange bolts... one thing tho is my old starter if i remember correctly didnt have anything attached to that further back bolt, should there be?


Starter went out on my 05 ford focus zx3. Got a new one off ebay but couldnt get it to fit the cable. Assumed it was incorrect and got one from autozone, as the connecting wire from the two bodies was on on the left side, instead of the right. Now not sure whats goin on as the new one from autozone i used my vin to confirm it would fit instead of just using ebays add vehicle and still i cant get that cable to fit on the starter. View attachment 317531
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logan.l said:

ok i got the starter installed but its not cranking. i just hear a high pitched whine when turning the key

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Benjilafouine said:

That’s not good. I hope it isn’t a teeth grinding noise. That would be bad. This happens when the starter is not engaging properly.

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amc49 said:

Either starter not engagingh flywheel or the arm not throwing forward to engage such or the internal planetary is broken.

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logan.l said:

it was more like a motor spinning freely.

i installed the one from ebay and it started right away. i think the refurbed autozone starter was just a dud.

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amc49 said:

Most starters I found when in parts get changed for nothing. 60% of them came back.

I 'rebuild' mine every time it comes out, nothing fancy, just clean the garbage out and grease where needed and dress electrical contacts, maybe change brushes if needed. Haven't bought a new starter in some 35 years at least.

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