location of Starter needed

2010 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
70,000 MILES • 3.6L • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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Could you please tell/show me where the starter is located? My van wont start and I believe that is the issue. Also, how hard is it to change?
Oct 24, 2016 at 8:52 AM
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AL514
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This view is from the front of the vehicle. The starter is down below the exhaust manifold. The bolts for it come in from the opposite side (transmission side). They are a bit difficult to get out. Once you get it unbolted, if you spin the starter around you should be able to get it out. Make sure you unbolt the Negative battery wire first before doing anything. There will be two wires on the starter that need to come off as well.
If you would like to diagnosis the starting issue first before you remove it, let us know.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:12 AM
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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How can I diagnose that this is the problem?
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:15 AM
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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And do you have a diagram that shows words associated with those numbers?
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:16 AM
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AL514
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You can check for power at the starter itself while cranking the engine over, there are two wires, one is a big wire that will be "hot" at all times. This powers the starter motor. The other smaller wire comes from the ignition switch. This wire will only have power while cranking the vehicle over (twelve volts- battery power).This is the starter solenoid wire.

Usually a bad starter will just click, but battery problems can cause this also. So you want to make sure you are getting a full twelve volts down to the starter on both wires. You can use a automotive test light for this. they are very cheap. You will need a helper to turn over the engine while checking the starter. If full power is there, then you can go ahead with the change out, but if its not. then you may have a relay, wiring, or battery issue.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:22 AM
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AL514
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in the first diagram number five is the starter, one and three are the bolts, four is the shim between the starter and transmission and two is the transmission.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:24 AM
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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Our battery seems to be pretty corroded as well. I will go outside and take some pictures and maybe a quick video of what is going on.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:28 AM
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AL514
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clean the battery terminals very well. Baking soda and water will eat all the acid away. but that may be your problem.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:37 AM
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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Can I not do videos? It keeps telling me invalid.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:40 AM
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AL514
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no, I think only pictures, but clean that battery completely up. Those connections are the only thing powering your starter. Take them off and clean inside each and both battery terminals.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:42 AM
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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Also, would checking the relay switch work?
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:43 AM
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AL514
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just do a power check at the starter first, that is the end of the line for the power supply, and work you way back from there if there is not twelve volts there.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:46 AM
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AMBER COMBS JOHNSON
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Okay great! Working on it tonight. I will post later! Thank you.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:50 AM
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AL514
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Glad to help, let us know what you find.
Oct 24, 2016 at 9:52 AM
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RENEE L
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Great Job AL514!
Oct 24, 2016 at 10:47 AM