My starter jus went out today, and I am looking for a replacement. Should I go with the Bosch OEM or a HD version for the long run. I have 168,XXX on it and jus did the battery last week. New Alternator in Nov 08. Also any guidance on how to replace and time frame? I think I can take off one of the fans to get to it form the top. Ima newby who wants to dive in. Havent touched it yet jus looking around under the hood

 

Buy a Bosch new one if you can.

Pull the cooling fan and you can work it out.

 

Alrighty Tech I will try tomorrow. Anything I should be wary of?

 

Not really but would be really nice if you have a gear wrench.

 

I took the starter out and had it checked. It works fine and puts out the amps. What else could it be? A bad Relay? How do you tell when it goes bad?

 

Got it to start! The starter was goood. I think I need a new relay

 

Starter tests aren't 100% accurate. If the problem you were having was that the starter was just clicking now and then, and then working other times, you likely have a bad spot of the commutator inside the starter. (that's the copper ring that the carbon brushes ride on.) With a bad spot, the starter will usually work just fine until the shaft happens to stop with a brush exactly on the bad spot. Then, it'll just click, until the clicking and movement of the bendix moves the shaft JUUUUST enough for the brush to reach the good area, and the starter will start working. But that bad spot will spread, and eventually, no amount of trying will get it to start. So it that sounds like what's happening... you probably need a starter anyways.