I finally was able to remove the starter from my 2000 OBW. Replaced the contacts, and am now ready to reinstall it, but thought it might be a good idea to test it first. Jumper cables to the battery, I assume, but what about that small wire contact next to the positive terminal on the solenoid? What do I do to/with it? TIA.

Clamp it in a vise or support it so it doesn't jump away on you. Ground the case, positive wire to the big connector and jump the small terminal to battery positive. That should do it.

I thought some auto parts stores could check them in house.

Right. The "safe" way to do it is take it to autozone or somewhere like that and ask them to bench test it.

Don't say you rebuilt it, just say it had some trouble starting and you want to make sure it's not the starter.

If it's fastened down, this should work:

 

Image from my archives October 2007.

Thanks everyone. Removal, rebuild, and reinstallation all successful.

DId you find the new contacts online? I had gone looking a while back but couldn't find a match. I cleaned the contacts last year and it worked well for a bit but now it's failing more often.

Thanks,

Joe

I may have looked, but I have a local source - Arlington Armature - in Springfield, VA. Cost about $15.00.

Just a heads up--there are at least 4 different configurations for the contacts (yes, the first 3 sets I received were the wrong ones!)

 

If possible remove your old ones from the starter and carry them to the shop with you so you can make a visual match.

Contacts are $8 at the dealer. I've seen two types, but I've interchanged them both ways, just lined it all up right and it's not a problem.

I have never had one go on my Subaru. How hard is it to replace on a Forester? It looks simple to get to, but I have always been a little afraid of in-proper adjustment and messing up the flywheel. Maybe I will never have to cross the bridge but who knows.

I have never had one go on my Subaru. How hard is it to replace on a Forester? It looks simple to get to, but I have always been a little afraid of in-proper adjustment and messing up the flywheel. Maybe I will never have to cross the bridge but who knows.

You can't put the starter in wrong. It only goes in one way, seat it all the way and bolt it up. There really isn't much to it.