Hi. I'm new to the forum. stopped by today and searched for starter replacement and could not find a very good step by step instruction. I'm not a mechanic but managed to change my half-Dead starter. it started acting up since last week and yesterday did not respond to the ignition at all. checked the battery and it was fine. I knocked on the starter with hammer and it did work once. failed the second time. so I just did my research and replaced it myself .
![]()
here's the details :
>> Cost of the project == $97 (starter + tax) includes lifetime warranty on the starter !
>> Time : 30-45 minutes (might be less if you know what you're doing)
1- I had problem locating the starter. it's located on the right side of the vehicle behind the oil pan (imagine you are sitting in the car facing front)
![]()
2- disconnect the - pole of the battery , then + of the battery and you're ready to rock n roll ...
3- the rest of it is really straight forward. jack up the car and get under it. starter has 2 screws attaching the starter motor to the transmission. remove those 2 screws.
also don't forget to disconnect the black cable feeding the starter.
4- the 3rd screw (which took me some time to figure it's there!) is the starter wire attached by a screw. this needs to be removed too. or the starter will not come off (or at least I did so !)
this screw is shown in the picture :
![]()
![]()
then I believe the best option is to buy a new starter from Autozone for $85 which comes with a life time warranty. you have to take the old starter (core) to the shop or they will charge you like $50 for the core. they can even test it to make sure it's a faulty starter or not.
just do the reverse for installation .
![]()
by the way I have Infiniti QX4 2002 which is the same as Pathfinder 2002.
I believe I saved at least $150 by doing this half-hour fix by myself.
just trying to help someone else have some fun and save money. :weight_lift:
although I'm not accountable if you face any problems during the repair.
good luck and have fun!

here's the details :
>> Cost of the project == $97 (starter + tax) includes lifetime warranty on the starter !
>> Time : 30-45 minutes (might be less if you know what you're doing)
1- I had problem locating the starter. it's located on the right side of the vehicle behind the oil pan (imagine you are sitting in the car facing front)

2- disconnect the - pole of the battery , then + of the battery and you're ready to rock n roll ...
3- the rest of it is really straight forward. jack up the car and get under it. starter has 2 screws attaching the starter motor to the transmission. remove those 2 screws.
also don't forget to disconnect the black cable feeding the starter.
4- the 3rd screw (which took me some time to figure it's there!) is the starter wire attached by a screw. this needs to be removed too. or the starter will not come off (or at least I did so !)
this screw is shown in the picture :


then I believe the best option is to buy a new starter from Autozone for $85 which comes with a life time warranty. you have to take the old starter (core) to the shop or they will charge you like $50 for the core. they can even test it to make sure it's a faulty starter or not.
just do the reverse for installation .

by the way I have Infiniti QX4 2002 which is the same as Pathfinder 2002.
I believe I saved at least $150 by doing this half-hour fix by myself.
just trying to help someone else have some fun and save money. :weight_lift:
although I'm not accountable if you face any problems during the repair.
good luck and have fun!