When your car is running normally everything is fine, however if it begins to have frequent problems you might begin to speculate, specifically if your car won’t start. In this article we will show you where the starter of a GMC Terrain is, it will help you to fix your ignition problems. To do this, we will first explain the function of a starter, then, where is the starter on a GMC Terrain , and, at last, how to change the starter of a car.

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Function of the starter on your GMC Terrain

We begin this content by detailing the function of the starter motor on your GMC Terrain. The starter is an electric motor which is powered by your battery, its role will be to make your engine run at a high enough speed to start it (usually around 300/400 rpm). It is consisting of three main parts:

  • The Solenoid: This component is an electrical relay that will work as a switch, it will be activated by the key of your GMC Terrain and let the current from your battery to the engine of your alternator.

    • The engine: Main element of your alternator, it is the one that will drive the flywheel of your GMC Terrain and generate enough speed for your engine to begin.

  • The engagement pinion: This is the last part of your starter, it is the toothed wheel that will be in direct contact with the flywheel, it enables to transfer the force from the starter to the engine.

Where is the starter on a GMC Terrain?

Now that we have quickly detailed what a starter is and how it works, we will answer the question that most of you have to ask yourselves where is the starter based on a GMC Terrain? It is quite easy to locate a starter, obviously, it is a large part that will almost always be positioned in a similar place. We let you see the two possible places for your car starter below.

Location of the starter on traditional GMC Terrain

First and most general circumstance, where to locate the starter of a GMC Terrain with a conventional motor (implied without start and stop). The starter has a particular objective, to start the engine of your car, for that, it must always be near the engine flywheel of this one because it is the part that it actuates when it is used. The flywheel is based at the junction between your gearbox and your engine.

Location of the starter to GMC Terrain with start and stop

And now second possible starter location of your GMC Terrain . This case is much less frequent. It just relates to engines fitted with start and stop, and a good part of them will be equipped with a starter positioned close to the flywheel. However, on some particular series or engines, the starter of your GMC Terrain might be included in your alternator, it is then named a starter-alternator, to locate it nothing much easier, identify your accessory belt and you should see the big starter block.

How to change the starter on a GMC Terrain?

Finally, we’ll show you to you quite quickly how to change the starter of a GMC Terrain. This procedure is not actually difficult, it can be considered by people who have a minimal of simple mechanical experience and adapted equipment. Follow below the main steps to carry out this intervention:

  • Disconnect the battery on your GMC Terrain, if you don’t know how to do it, don’t hesitate to seek advice from our content which points out how to do it without taking any risk.
  • After finding your starter, loosen the fasteners that hold it in your engine block, there will usually be 2 or 3

    • .

  • It will be time to disconnect the power cables from the starter motor of your GMC Terrain, however before doing so we recommend you to take a picture of the set up to avoid making a mistake when reassembling.
  • It’s possible that to remove it you might need to remove auto parts like the gimbal.
  • Remount the new starter, being careful when connecting the connectors.
  • Reconnect your battery and test your starter.

To discover more tips on the GMC Terrain, take a look at the GMC Terrain category.