likenobody

Ok, so I live in this building and I parked my car in the underground parking. The car won't start, and I know that the starter needs to be changed cause the battery is fine (tested it). The problem is, I called a towing company and they came, but unfortunately the truck can't get inside the garage for the fact that the entrance is quite low. I called several towing companies, and they all claimed that the truck wouldn't be able to get inside.

What should I do in this case? is it easy that I replace it myself(DIY)? or maybe there is something I can do to get it out the parking lot. It's two floors down which means I can't just push it or something...

please, help!

cjkim

are you sure its the starter? is there another floor below you?

rx 8speciale

iTrader: (3)

buy the stater and install in the parking lot. it is a simple job to do ....

likenobody

yeah, I bought the starter already, but no clue how to do it,, any info would help

cjkim

here ya go

likenobody

yea, I found this link http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/2003mazdar...918400W02.html,, and I think it's helpful,, thank you guys! I'll try to do it tomorrow, and see how it goes!

likenobody

ok, this might sound so stupid,, but I couldn't find the starter,, I even found this image http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/2003mazdar...HE0119W001.png but still,, any idea?

Mazurfer

Did you not see the nice picture you were given in post #5?
Climb under the car and you will see it. It's on the driver side.

teknics

auto or manual? auto, the starter is under the spark plugs other side of drain plug on oil pan. manual starter is in same spot but on trans side. (no offense but this is the funniest thing ive ever had to post)

kevin

likenobody

So I can't see it from above? cause the instructions in that website ask to remove the engine cover which I thought I could see it from the upper side

Mazurfer

I don't think so.......it would be hard to spot. Oh........and you'll never get it out from the top anyway.

tubingchamp

iTrader: (3)

Engine under cover perhaps?

likenobody

hmmm, that makes sense, that manual should be wrong then, cause it meant the engine cover

teknics

there's no engine cover or undercover removal to get to the starter, auto or manual.

must be seen from undercar.

kevin.

TopGear8

iTrader: (3)

ya just jack up the drivers side, put a jack stand under, roll under the drivers door area and look at the front of the trans. It will have a circular bronze looking casing. here:

Nubo

Just find the fat cable running off your + battery terminal. That will lead you to the starter. Sort of like Matrix Revolutions

zoom44

better check with the building management that you are even allowed to work on a car in the garage. you could end up paying a fine or even towed.

cant you get some friends to help push the car to where the truck can get it?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Dude, just push start it.

Hoss

They cant really threaten to tow him, he already knows that they cant get a truck to get his car out

I agree with the above push start recomendation, if it is a manual. If it is an auto, push it to the exit, either with several friends, or a carefully positioned push car or tow rope.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Or, install the tie-down eye-hook and have someone with a 4WD vehicle just tow you to where the transport can get to you.

Or. if an M/T, have them keep on towing you, jump start it and drive to the dealer's for starter replacement.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

his car is an AT.

zoom44

believe me the car is towable- its a mater of will. If they want it gone it will go.

Hoss

I believe ya, just seems to me that if it was my car, the will would have already been there to get it gone. At least, I would have had the will long before it came to a point where someone else had the will to do it for me.

But even if it came to that, they arent going to be patrolling the underground parking lot 24/7 looking for pepole who are working on their cars. And if the starter is as easy as it sounds like to replace, he should be able to replace it long before a tow truck even after they placed the call.

I would probably just go and do it myself. Or at least talk to the management before hand and explain the case.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Not everyone is mechanically inclined. What seems like a simple starter swap to us may seem like an engine swap to him.

Vyndictive

iTrader: (28)

This is so true, because I'm the same way... I'm pretty much mechanically retarded, but through good advice and DIYs i've managed to get a lot better.


If someone would write a DIY starter change, I'm sure he could get it done. I still have my stock starter on my '04, but I have never had starting problems, thus no upgraded stater under warranty...

Anyway, I'm sure if someone wants to take the time that has seen this done can walk him through it.

... and just talk to the building maintenance and explain your problem to them. I'm sure they would be okay with having your car jacked up for a few hours considering you can't get it towed out.