Where in the hell is the starter on the Northstar 4.6 starter in a cadillac XLR helping out one of my friends replace it. Me and him went through a 12 pack of beer searching for it. I'm so confused right now... Where is it????

4.6 in an XLR? I know if its like FWD DeVille or something like that you have to drop the exhaust crossmember and its under the back-bank exhaust manifold.

It is a 4.6 northstar i double checked

your screwed dude. Its a "In Block" starter. its right under the intake manifold. tell your friend to take it to the dealer.

Yeah, it is. Unless you feel like taking that much time it, just plant a load of TNT under the hood, set a timer and run like hell... I don't really hate the NorthStar engine in a general sense, but I damn sure HATE how they mounted the starter.

Sealed inside the block.

Back in the late 1980s Cadillac determined that something like

99% of starter failures were related to the starter hanging out

exposed on the side/back of the motor getting hit with rain,

snow, dirt, dust, salt and condensation. So they decided to put

it right inside the block in the V of the motor. Since it's DOHC

there's room for that unlike in a pushrod.

My STS had starting problems for a long time due to twisted,

oxidated battery cables and a poor ground. That's probably

your problem if the XLR is not starting.

I bought my STS in 2002 with 101,400 miles and it had been

driven year round through the Big Dig & New England Winters.

XLRs are not old enough to encounter bad starters... that's

hard to beleive. Your problem lies elsewhere I'm willing to bet.

Shouldn't this thing be under some sort of warranty?

Shouldn't this thing be under some sort of warranty?

181788[/snapback]

Man your a life saver we were talking about fixing it so much we forgot yes infact he does have a warranty and thats prolly a better idea to let the dealer worry about it and fix it

Yeah... how about that.

I just a$$umed it was over its milage or what not.

What's the story with this? Are you sure your

battery was not dead or the car did not go into

some sort of "lock out" mode because of an

activated security system?

chipped starter tooth? dont try to restart cars man. but make sure the dealer puts the gaskets back on good.

Man your a life saver we were talking about fixing it so much we forgot yes infact he does have a warranty and thats prolly a better idea to let the dealer worry about it and fix it

181852[/snapback]

how many beers did you have exactly?