Mitsubishi's introduction to U.S. buyers came with a bit of a thud, as its first vehicle on American soil was the unexciting Dodge Colt -- a rebadged Mitsubishi Colt. Mitsubishi's presence in America changed in 1990 when Mitsubishi released the modern and sporty-looking Eclipse alongside the nearly identical Plymouth Laser and Eagle Talon. The 190-horsepower, all-wheel-drive, turbocharged GSX trim level topped off the 1990 Eclipse's lineup. By 1998, the Eclipse GSX's horsepower grew to 210, and its status was legendary amongst import car enthusiasts. Replacing the starter on the high-output 2.0-liter engine is surprisingly straightforward.
Instructions
- 1
Loosen the negative battery cable end, using a combination wrench, and pull the negative battery cable off the battery. Position the negative cable in a way that minimizes the chance of accidental reconnection.
2Loosen the clamps on each end of the Eclipse's air intake tube -- air-box side and throttle-body side -- using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the air intake tube off the air box and the throttle body. Set the air intake tube in a secure area.
3Look on top of the transmission, where it meets the engine, and locate the starter -- the cylindrical electrical component. Remove the nut securing the starter power wire -- the thickest wire -- to the rear of the starter, using a combination wrench. Unplug the starter signal wire -- the thinner wire -- from the rear of the starter by pulling its harness with a slight wiggling motion.
4Remove the two starter-to-transmission bolts, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the starter toward the passenger's side of the car with a slight wiggling motion to free it from the transmission. Remove the starter from the engine compartment.
5Insert the gear side of a new starter into the transmission -- where the old starter was -- and line up the bolt holes in the starter with those in the bell-housing. Hand-thread the starter-to-transmission bolts, and tighten them to 20 to 25 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.
6Plug the starter signal wire into the receptacle on the rear of the starter. Guide the starter power wire onto the stud on the rear of the starter. Place a washer onto the stud, and hand-tighten the wire-retaining nut onto the stud. Tighten the wire-retaining nut to 7 to 11 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.
7Press the air intake tube back onto the throttle body inlet and the air box outlet. Tighten the air intake tube's hose clamps with a Phillips screwdriver.
8Press the negative battery cable back into place on the negative battery cable, and tighten the cable end to 11 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.
