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Started my 05 manual yesterday, the starter was very sluggish, the engine bogged down, but it did start and run. However smelled an electrical burning smell from under the hood afterwards. Put the car in gear and drove a couple hundred feet in my parking lot to get it in a better spot in case it didn't start again, turned the car off just to make sure I'd be able to restart it before I drove away, and sure enough it didn't restart.

No blown fuses and there is a click when I turn the key but the engine does not turn over at all. Battery is fine at 12.6V and the contacts look clean on the battery and starter terminals. Bought a new starter today, however when I took the two bolts off, it would not come off.

The procedure in general was a little more annoying because it is a manual vs an auto whose starter seems a little easier to replace, but otherwise I assume it should just pull right out like other videos ive seen on starter replacements for autos. Just wondering if there is anything else I need to do to remove a manual transmission starter, or if there are any other suggestions for troubleshooting on how to get it off.

Didn't think I had an issue with any of the flywheel gears binding etc since the car drove fine right up to that point but who knows. Also if anyone had a link to a 7th gen manual for starter replacement that would be good, have a "Service Manual" but it just says to look at the "Shop Guide" for info on how to actually change out the starter .

 
Rep Power: 367

my guess is solenoid stuck extended. usually need to be wacked.

search youtube, use these keywords:
2001 civic manual starter replacement

 
Rep Power: 222

Sounds the the starter is definitely fried. Should just have to give it a few smacks with a hammer to knock it loose

 
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Thanks. Was being a little more dainty than normal since I’m doing something this in a residential parking lot, it was getting dark, and all the YouTube videos just had it pulling straight out. Will give it a few whacks and see what happens, hopefully without damaging and flywheel teeth.

I’m just hoping there’s no secret to getting the manual starter out which is shrouded vs an automatic which has the gear just sticking out in free air where I need to pull it off in a different way and could start damaging things.

 
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If you can find the video I need using those search terms on YouTube you are a better human than I.

 
Rep Power: 126

 
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Thank you but this is the video I watched again and again which showed how easy it was to install an auto starter. I ran into lots of fun surprises that are unique to a manual starter and not in this video like impossible to see mounting bolts, needing to unbolt an additional wiring bracket not present on the automatic starters, and a currently impossible to remove unit.

 
Rep Power: 126

Didn't notice manual before. Just added "manual" to the search

 
Rep Power: 222

didn't have any of those problems on my 05, wonder if they made a change partway through. Just give it some smacks

 
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Thanks. Finally a video that covers the differences with the manual starter. Glad to see there’s no extra step I’m missing as far as removal, guess I’ll just hit it with a hammer and hope it comes loose.

 
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Got it finally! Was a little more brave with just hammering the hell out of it based on the advice here and it finally came off. A little worried about messing up the flywheel teeth but it ended up ok. Was indeed a fried starter and fired right up with no problems!

Had to both hammer it a bunch of times from the top, then pry from the bottom, then hammer again but it finally came out. The annoying quirks with the manual starter showed up again today though- when I hammered it the rear end started separating from the forward part where it mounted. It was because one of the two long bolts holding the whole thing together had been loosened to get that wiring bracket off. So I needed to tighten it again and then the force from the hammer blows finally got transferred to the forward end of the starter that is in the engine.

And with the combo of length of socket and extension I just picked up to do this job, it was a little awkward getting to the forward/bottom mounting bolt. Did some arm origami a couple of times before I finally was able to fit it in and locate the bolt/guide the socket with my other hand before I could tighten it down.

Thanks everyone for the help!

 
Rep Power: 222

Glad you got it sorted out 👍

 
Rep Power: 367

sounds scary, but you also can make stuck solenoids release and start working again by smacking the motor.