When your car is running normally everything is fine, however if it starts to have frequent complications you may possibly begin to worry, especially if your car won’t start. In this post we will learn you where the starter of a Mazda 3 is, it will help you to resolve your ignition complications. To get this done, we will first summarize the function of a starter, then, where is the starter on a Mazda 3 , and, finally, how to replace the starter of a car.

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Role of the starter on your Mazda 3

We begin this content page by explaining the function of the starter motor on your Mazda 3. 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 composed of three most important parts:

  • The Solenoid: This part is an electrical relay that will action as a switch, it will be activated by the key of your Mazda 3 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 Mazda 3 and create enough speed for your engine to begin.

  • The engagement pinion: This is the last component 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 Mazda 3?

Now that we have fairly quickly explained 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 found on a Mazda 3? It is quite easy to find a starter, indeed, it is a large component that will almost always be positioned in a similar location. We let you discover the two possible spots for your car starter below.

Location of the starter on classic Mazda 3

First and most common circumstance, where to find the starter of a Mazda 3 with a conventional motor (implied without start and stop). The starter has a specific function, to start the engine of your car, for that, it must always be near the engine flywheel of this one because it is the component that it actuates when it is used. The flywheel is found at the junction between your gearbox and your engine.

Location of the starter to Mazda 3 with start and stop

And now second possible starter location of your Mazda 3 . This case is much less frequent. It only concerns engines equipped with start and stop, and a good component of them will be equipped with a starter positioned close to the flywheel. Nevertheless, on some specific series or engines, the starter of your Mazda 3 might be built in in your alternator, it is then called a starter-alternator, to find it nothing easier, identify your accessory belt and you should find out the big starter block.

How to replace the starter on a Mazda 3?

Finally, we’ll describe to you actually quite fairly quickly how to replace the starter of a Mazda 3. This process is not actually difficult, it can be considered by people who have a minimal of basic mechanical experience and adapted tools. Adhere to below the most important steps to carry out this intervention:

  • Disconnect the battery on your Mazda 3, if you don’t know how to do it, don’t think twice to consult our content page which explains how to do it without taking any risk.
  • After locating your starter, loosen the fasteners that hold it in your engine block, there will in most cases be 2 or 3
  • .

  • It will be time to disconnect the power cables from the starter motor of your Mazda 3, however before doing so we suggest you to take a picture of the set up to avoid making a mistake when reassembling.
  • It’s possible that to remove it you may possibly need to remove parts like the gimbal.
  • Remount the new starter, being careful when connecting the connectors.
  • Reconnect your battery and test your starter.

If you wish more tutorials on the Mazda 3, go to our Mazda 3 category.