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Ford F150 Digital Manual

1997-2003 Ford F150, 1997-2017 Expedition & Lincoln Navigator Starter Motor Replacement

2 minute read

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This page is taken directly from our digital online manual 36059 for the 1997-2003 Ford F150 truck and 1997-2017 Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator, 2WD or 4WD with V6 or V8 gasoline engines, but it applies to many other Ford, Mercury and Lincoln vehicles that use the Ford "modular motor" like the Mustang, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, and Town Car. Their is no recommended service interval for a starter motor, they all eventually wear internally and stop working.

  1. Detach the cable from the negative terminal of the battery.
  2. Raise the vehicle and support it securely on jack stands.
  3. Disconnect the large cable from the terminal on the starter motor and the solenoid terminal connections.
  4. (See illustration) Remove the starter motor mounting bolt and nut and detach the starter from the engine. V6 models, like the F150 shown here, have two bolts and V8 models have three bolts.

Remove the starter mounting bolt and nut (arrows) and separate the assembly from the transmission bellhousing

Ford F150 V6 starter mounting bolts


  1. Installation is the reverse of removal.

Note: When the battery is disconnected and reconnected, the vehicle may experience abnormal driving symptoms while the computer (PCM) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles or more to regain smooth operation.

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