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How to Change the Starter in a 2011 to 2015 Honda CR-V

This video details a starter replacement on a 2012 Honda CR-V, and may differ depending on your vehicle. Consult your owner's manual before beginning your project to ensure a correct replacement. Performing a starter repair can be a straightforward task with the right tools, safety equipment, and instructions. Find the best replacement starter for your exact vehicle at O’Reilly Auto Parts to get the job done right.

Tools & Materials List
Step by Step Instructions
How to Replace A Car Starter
Remove the Old Starter
Additional Resources

Tools & Materials

Safety Eye Glasses Safety glasses
Protective Gloves Nitrile Gloves
Starter Starter
Most starters also have a built-in solenoid that sends voltage to the starter when the ignition switch is activated. Both the starter and solenoid can wear out over time due to high heat, oil, and contaminants preventing the starter shaft from extending or the Bendix gear from turning your engine over. If the starter solenoid fails, you may not hear your starter engage at all. If your starter motor fails, you may hear the starter click but the motor may not turn over, and if the gear is damaged, you may hear the starter engage but the motor won’t spin. Be sure to inspect your vehicle’s starter, starter solenoid, Bendix gear, and related cables for any signs of damage to properly diagnose the issue before beginning your repairs.

Maintain your vehicle’s performance with the parts, tools, and shop equipment your repairs require at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
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This how-to details a starter replacement to help you complete your repair and keep your vehicle starting and running as it should. A starter is an electric motor that starts your vehicle’s engine by engaging the flexplate when you turn the key in your ignition. If your engine won’t turn over, or you notice unusual noises such as grinding or whirring sounds when you try to start your car, you may need to replace your starter. Before replacing your starter, ensure that your battery is fully charged and that your battery cables and starter cable are in good condition. Damaged cables can cause arcing to the frame, which will prevent power from reaching the starter. If your battery cables are in good shape and you need to replace your starter, O’Reilly Auto Parts has the parts and tools you need to complete your project. Replacing a vehicle’s starter with the right safety equipment, instructions, and tools can make the repair easier and help ensure that you perform a correct, confident starter replacement. Find the best replacement starters, the DIY project tools you need, and more at O’Reilly Auto Parts.
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How to Replace A Car Starter

For this repair demonstration, we will be replacing a starter on a 2012 Honda CR-V. Remember, procedures can differ depending on your vehicle, so be sure to consult your vehicle’s owner's manual for exact replacement locations and specifications before beginning your repair.
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In two images, there is a close up of the CR-V’s old starter and our expert pops the Honda’s hood.

Step 1: Prepare Your Vehicle

Park on a level surface, and make sure the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.

Pop the hood.
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Remove the Old Starter

Gloved hands use a ratchet and socket to disconnect the battery cable.

Step 2: Disconnect Your Battery

Use a ratchet and 10mm socket to disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable then disconnect the positive battery cable.
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The ratchet and a different sized socket are used to remove the Intake Manifold Bolts.

Step 3: Remove the Intake Manifold Bolts

Use a ratchet and 12mm socket to remove the six bolts securing the intake manifold. Your CR-V may also have a bracket connecting the bottom of the intake to the front of the engine accessible from beneath the vehicle.

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Our expert uses a socket to remove the necessary parts before removing the intake manifold from the engine bay.

Step 4: Remove the Intake Manifold

You may choose to remove the intake entirely or tilt the intake toward the front of the engine bay and secure it to the radiator support using a hanger or bungee cords.

To remove the intake entirely, you’ll also need to remove the manifold sensor connector, the air inlet, and the throttle body hoses, then you can completely remove the intake from the engine bay.
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Our expert removes the old starter from the CR-V.

Step 5: Remove the Old Starter

Use your ratchet and 14mm and 17mm sockets to loosen the bolts securing the starter and remove them. Disconnect the battery cable with your ratchet and a 12mm socket and press down on the tab to remove the solenoid connector.
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The old and new starter are laid next to each other on a blue surface.

Step 6: Compare the Old and New Starters

Compare the old starter with the new one to make sure the design, connections, and dimensions are the same.
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Our expert installs the new starter into the Honda.

Step 7: Install Your New Starter

Move your new starter into place then reconnect and tighten the battery cable using your 12mm socket making sure the crimped side of the ring terminal faces away from the starter when installed. Then reinstall the solenoid connector by pressing it into place until it latches.
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The new starter is secured using a torque wrench.

Step 8: Secure the Starter

Thread the starter bolts into place then use a torque wrench to tighten the 14mm bolt to 33 foot-pounds and the 17mm bolt to 47 foot-pounds.
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The Intake Manifold gets new gaskets added.

Step 9: Replace the Intake Manifold

Replace the intake manifold gaskets with new ones. Now you can set the intake manifold back in place, removing any bungees or retainers you may have used to hold it if it was not completely removed.

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The Intake Manifold is carefully threaded back into the CR-V and secured with a torque wrench.

Step 10: Secure the Intake Manifold

Re-thread the manifold bolts by hand then torque them to 16 foot pounds with your 12mm socket and torque wrench. Be sure to also replace and torque the intake manifold bracket if needed.
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Our expert reconnects the throttle body hoses and any other components that were disconnected earlier.

If you disconnected throttle body hoses, the air inlet, or the manifold sensor connector, be sure to reinstall these components as well.
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The battery hold down is reattached and the CR-V hood is lowered.

Step 11: Reconnect the Battery

Reconnect the battery cables, positive first, then negative, and tighten them with your 10mm socket and ratchet. Close the hood.
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In two images, our expert holds the Honda’s instruction manual as a future reference and start the vehicle.

Step 12: Start Your Vehicle

When you start your vehicle after disconnecting the battery, your display may ask for a five-digit code to load your presets. You may find that code in your owner's manual, or it may be necessary to call your local Honda dealer and provide your VIN to receive the code. Write this down for the next time you have to disconnect the battery.
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Additional Resources

Young man on phone with hood up of car

Why Won’t My Car Start?
Store employee with car part talking to a customer

Free Starter and Alternator Testing
Fuse in pliers in hand

What Causes Fuses to Blow?

Our detailed instructions and video demonstrate the headlight bulb replacement procedures for a 2006 Honda Accord LX. Repair steps will be similar on 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2007 Honda Accord models. If you notice that your Accord’s headlights are dim, flickering, functioning poorly, or completely burned out, be sure to address this simple repair task promptly. Ensuring that your Accord abides by road laws and remains visible to others on the road is crucial to your and others’ safety. Find the replacement headlight bulbs, headlight assembly, tail light and turn signal bulbs, and more designed to fit your 2003 to 2007 Honda Accord at O’Reilly Auto Parts.

The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.