Removing the starter on a Nissan Sunny: instructions with photos and secrets of the masters

Removing the starter Nissan Sunny - a task that sooner or later faces every owner of this reliable, but no longer young car. The starter may fail due to wear on the brushes, burnt contacts, or mechanical damage to the bendix. Car services charge from 3 to 6 thousand rubles for this work, but if you have the tools and patience, you can do it yourself.

In this article we will analyze the process of dismantling the starter on models Sunny B13, B14 And B15 with engines GA14DE, GA16DE And SR20DE. We will pay special attention to typical mistakes that beginners make, and we will give recommendations for diagnosing faults before removing the unit. If your Nissan If the starter doesn't start or makes suspicious sounds, this guide will help you save time and money.

Preparing for work: tools and safety precautions

Before you begin dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. You will have to work in a cramped engine compartment, so without the right tools the process can take hours.

Basic set of tools:

• 🔧 Set of heads (required) 10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm) with extension and ratchet wrench
• 🔧 Socket wrench on 10 mm (for securing battery terminals)
• 🔧 Flat blade screwdriver (to disconnect the control wire chip)
• 🔧 Jack and stops (if access from below is required)
• 🔧 Penetrating lubricant (e.g. WD-40 or Liqui Moly)
• 🔧 Multimeter (to check the starter after removal)

Some bolts on Nissan Sunny may become very sour, especially if the car was operated in high humidity conditions. Treat them with penetrating lubricant in advance - this will save you nerves and effort. It is also a good idea to wear gloves: sharp edges of metal parts under the hood often cause cuts.

⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery! This will prevent short circuits if the tools are accidentally connected to the starter housing or vehicle body.

Where is the starter on a Nissan Sunny and how to get to it

On all generations Sunny (including restyled versions) the starter is located at the bottom of the engine, on the gearbox side. The exact location depends on the type of motor:

• 🔍 On engines GA14DE/GA16DE the starter is attached to the cylinder block on the right (in the direction of travel) and is partially covered by the exhaust manifold.
• 🔍 On SR20DE Access to the starter is more difficult due to the more compact layout of the engine compartment. It may be necessary to remove the duct or part of the guard.

In most cases, dismantling is possible from above, but on some modifications (especially with air conditioning) it is more convenient to work from below, after first lifting the car on a jack or overpass. If you have never removed the starter, we recommend that you first inspect its location and assess the accessibility of the mounting bolts.

How to determine that the problem is in the starter?

If you hear a click when you turn the ignition key, but the engine does not rotate, this may indicate a malfunction of the bendix or solenoid relay. If there is no click at all, the problem may lie in the power circuit or the relay itself.

Model Nissan Sunny	Engine type	Number of starter mounting bolts	Difficulty of access (1-5)
B13 (1990-1994)	GA14DE	2	3
B14 (1994-1998)	GA16DE	2	4
B15 (1998-2004)	SR20DE	3	5

Step-by-step instructions for removing the starter

Now let's move directly to the process. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging adjacent components or losing small parts.

Step 1: Disconnecting the Power Terminals

Disable first positive wire (thick cable going from the battery to the starter). It is attached with a nut to 10 mm or 12 mm. Then carefully remove control wire chip (thin wire, usually black or red) from the solenoid relay. To do this, you may need to pry off the plastic retainer with a screwdriver.

Step 2: Removing the mounting bolts

Starter on Nissan Sunny secured with two or three bolts (depending on model). Usually these are bolts on 14 mm, but on some versions there may also be 12 mm. Unscrew them one by one, starting from the top. If the bolt does not budge, do not apply excessive force - it is better to treat it with lubricant again and wait 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Removing the Starter

After unscrewing the bolts, carefully pull the starter towards you. It can “stick” to the cylinder block, so do not jerk it sharply - it’s better to rock it from side to side. On models with SR20DE It may be necessary to crank the starter a little to clear it from obstructions.

⚠️ Attention: When removing the starter, make sure that the bendix does not catch on the flywheel. Forcible pulling can damage the flywheel teeth or the bendix itself, leading to costly repairs.

Step 4. Inspection and diagnosis

After removal, inspect the starter for visible damage: melted contacts, cracks in the housing, shaft play. Check the circuit with a multimeter: the winding resistance should be within 0.1-0.5 Ohm. If the starter spins but does not engage, the problem is in the bendix.

Typical mistakes when removing the starter and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to additional expenses or breakdowns. Here are the most common ones:

• ⚡ They forget to disconnect the battery. This is fraught with a short circuit when the key touches the starter housing and the body at the same time. The consequences range from a blown fuse to a fire in the engine compartment.
• ⚡ Excessive force is used when unscrewing bolts. The threads in the cylinder block are made of aluminum and can be easily stripped. If the bolt does not fit, it is better to use an impact wrench or heat it with a hair dryer.
• ⚡ Lost washers or gaskets. When reassembling, the absence of even one washer can lead to a loose fit of the starter and its vibration.
• ⚡ They don't check the flywheel. If the flywheel teeth are worn, the new starter will not last long. Inspect the flywheel through the inspection window in the bell housing.

Another common mistake is buying a non-original starter. On Nissan Sunny Cheap analogues are often installed, which fail after 10-15 thousand km. Original starters have the following article numbers:

• 23300-4M000 (for GA14DE/GA16DE)
• 23300-5M000 (for SR20DE)

If your budget is limited, choose trusted manufacturers: Denso, Mitsuba or Bosch. Avoid no-name brands - saving 1-2 thousand rubles will result in repeated repairs.

How to Test a Starter After Removal: 3 Key Tests

Before installing a new starter or repairing an old one, make sure that this is the problem. Here are three required tests:

1. Checking the solenoid relay

Connect the positive battery cable to the relay terminal, and the negative cable to the starter housing. A working relay should click and extend the bendix. If there is no click, the relay must be replaced. If there is a click, but the bendix does not extend, the problem is in the mechanical part.

2. Checking the armature windings

Use the multimeter in ohmmeter mode. Connect the probes to the winding terminals (usually two bolts on the back of the starter). Resistance must be within 0.1-0.5 Ohm. If the device shows a break (OL) or short circuit (0 ohm) - the winding is faulty.

3. Bendix check

Try turning the bendix by hand. It should only rotate in one direction (clockwise when viewed from the flywheel). If it spins in both directions, the gear is worn out and needs to be replaced. Also inspect the teeth: they should be sharp, without chips or burrs.

Installing a starter: nuances and tips

Installing a new or repaired starter occurs in the reverse order, but there are several important points:

1. Before installation, clean the seat on the cylinder block from dirt and oxides. This will ensure a tight fit and good contact.
2. Do not tighten the fastening bolts immediately until they stop. Thread them by hand first, then tighten them firmly. 20-25 Nm (use a torque wrench if available).
3. After connecting the terminals, check their reliability: the positive wire should not dangle, and the control wire chip should snap into place with a characteristic click.
4. Before starting for the first time, turn the ignition key to position ON (don't start it!) and listen: you should hear the click of the solenoid relay. If not, check the control circuit.

If after installation the starter turns, but the engine does not start, there may be a shift in the timing marks or problems with the fuel system. In this case, additional diagnostics will be required.

⚠️ Attention: On engines SR20DE After removing the starter, it may be necessary to adjust the gap between the bendix and the flywheel. If the gap is too large, the starter will make a metallic grinding noise when starting. Optimal clearance - 0.3-0.5 mm.

When starter repair is not practical

It doesn't always make sense to restore an old starter. Here are the cases when it is better to buy a new one right away:

• 🔧 The starter housing has cracks or signs of severe overheating (blackening, melting).
• 🔧 The windings of the armature or stator are burnt (a black coating is visible or a burning smell is felt).
• 🔧 The Bendix or solenoid relay is not original, and replacing them will cost 70% of the cost of a new starter.
• 🔧 The starter has already been repaired before, and less than 2 years have passed since the repair.

The cost of a new original starter for Nissan Sunny amounts to 8,000–12,000 rubles, depending on the engine model. High-quality analogues (for example, Denso) can be found for 5,000–7,000 rubles. Service repairs will cost 3,000–5,000 rubles, but without a guarantee for durability.

Important: on models with automatic transmission (for example, Sunny B14 with GA16DE) the starter has an extended bendix shaft. Installing a starter from a manual transmission will result in the bendix not reaching the flywheel!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about removing the starter on a Nissan Sunny

Is it possible to remove the starter on a Nissan Sunny without a pit or overpass?

Yes, on most models (especially with engines GA14DE/GA16DE) the starter is removed from above. However, on SR20DE access from below greatly simplifies the process, since one of the mounting bolts can be hidden by the exhaust manifold. If there is no hole, use a jack and jack stands to lift the front of the car.

The starter turns, but the engine does not start. What's the problem?

There may be several reasons:

• Worn flywheel teeth (Bendix slips).
• Fuel pump malfunction or clogged injectors.
• Problems with the crankshaft position sensor (DPKV).
• Discharged battery (starter turns too slowly).

First check the battery voltage under load (must be at least 10 V when scrolling). Then inspect the flywheel through the inspection window in the bell housing.

Which starter is suitable for other Nissan models?

Starters from the following models are compatible with Nissan Sunny (but require verification by article numbers):

• Nissan Almera N15 (engine GA16DE)
• Nissan Primera P10/P11 (engine SR20DE)
• Nissan Pulsar N14 (engine GA14DE)

Before purchasing, compare the part numbers or take the old starter with you to the store for verification.

How long does it take to replace a starter?

Time depends on experience and engine model:

• GA14DE/GA16DE: 1–1.5 hours (when working from above).
• SR20DE: 2–3 hours (bottom access may be required).

If the bolts are stuck or the flywheel needs to be replaced, the process will take up to 4–5 hours.

Can I repair the starter myself?

Yes, if you have experience working with electrical equipment. The most common repairs:

• Replacing brushes (cost 200–400 rubles).
• Replacing the solenoid relay (800–1,500 rubles).
• Replacing bendix (1,000–2,000 rubles).

Repairs will require disassembling the starter, checking the windings and replacing worn parts. It’s difficult to do without special tools (for example, a Bendix puller).