Removing the starter Nissan Note first and second generation (bodies E11 And E12) is a task that every owner faces sooner or later. The starter in this car is not particularly reliable: after 150-200 thousand kilometers, typical problems begin to appear - from bendix jamming to complete failure of the windings. Car repair shops charge from 3 to 6 thousand rubles for a replacement, but if you have the tools and patience, you can do the job yourself in 1.5-2 hours.

The main difficulty when dismantling the starter on Note - limited space in the engine compartment. Depending on the year of manufacture and configuration (for example, with air conditioning or automatic transmission), access to the mounting bolts may differ. In this article we will analyze the universal withdrawal algorithm, point out the pitfalls and give tips on how to avoid common mistakes. And if you doubt your abilities, at the end of the article there is a checklist for diagnosing malfunctions without removing starter.

Preparing for work: tools and safety precautions

Before you begin dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. Starter on Nissan Note It is attached in an inconvenient place, so it is difficult to do without a specialized tool. Here is the minimum set:

  • 🔧 14 mm head (preferably with an extension) - for the upper mounting bolt.
  • 🔧 12 mm socket wrench - for the bottom bolt and terminals.
  • 🔧 Ratchet handle with flexible extension (for access to hard-to-reach areas).
  • 🔧 Flat blade screwdriver - to disconnect the control chip.
  • 🔧 Jack and stops — if you need to remove the crankcase protection.
  • 🔧 Multimeter - to check the starter after removal.
  • 🔧 WD-40 or similar - stuck bolts on Note not uncommon.

Pay special attention to safety:

⚠️ Attention: Never work under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack! Use safety supports or stands. On Nissan Note With an automatic transmission, when removing the starter there is a risk of the box shifting - secure it with additional support.

Also before starting work Be sure to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. On Note with the system Intelligent Key (keyless entry) after disconnecting the battery, the keys may need to be retrained - take this into account if you are planning a long power outage.

📊 What tool do you already have?
  • Heads and ratchet handle
  • Multimeter
  • Jack with stops
  • WD-40
  • None of the above

Where is the starter on a Nissan Note and how to get to it

On Nissan Note (like E11, so E12) the starter is located at the bottom of the engine, next to the gearbox. The exact location depends on the type of checkpoint:

  • 🔹 On cars with manual transmission the starter is moved closer to the front of the engine, under the intake manifold.
  • 🔹 On versions with variator (CVT) access is complicated by additional pipes and brackets.

To get to the starter you will need:

  1. Remove air filter (unscrew 3 10 mm bolts and disconnect the pipe).
  2. Disable connector for mass air flow sensor (MAF).
  3. On models with air conditioning, temporarily move to the side air conditioner tube (do not disconnect it completely so as not to lose freon!).
  4. On vehicles with automatic transmission/variator, removal may be required. heat shield (fastening with 2 bolts of 10 mm).

This will give you visual access to the starter. However, for dismantling you will need to work “by touch” - especially with the lower mounting bolt. On Note with engine HR16DE (1.6 l) space is even narrower than on CR14DE (1.4 l), so be prepared for some inconvenience.

What to do if the starter is not visible?

On some versions Nissan Note (especially with a CVT) the starter can be covered with an additional generator bracket. In this case, you will first have to unscrew the generator (2 14 mm bolts) and move it to the side without disconnecting the wires. Don't forget to secure the generator with wire so it doesn't hang on the wires!

Step-by-step instructions for removing the starter

When access to the starter is open, we proceed to dismantling. Follow the algorithm strictly in order so as not to damage the wiring or the starter itself:

  1. Disconnect the control terminal (thin wire with a chip). It is secured with a plastic clip - carefully pry it up with a screwdriver and pull it up. On Nissan Note 2010-2013 The release chip may have an additional lock - do not pull by force, otherwise you will break the plastic!

  2. Remove the power wire (thick cable from the battery). It is secured with a 12 mm nut. Hold the bolt head on the back side with a wrench so as not to turn it.

  3. Unscrew the top mounting bolt (14 mm head). An extension cord will help here - the bolt is located at an angle and cannot be reached with a regular wrench.

  4. Unscrew the bottom bolt (12 mm socket wrench). This is the hardest part - the bolt is hidden behind the box. Use a flexible extension or gimbal adapter. If the bolt is stuck, treat it with WD-40 and wait 10-15 minutes.

  5. Carefully remove the starter. It may “stick” on the flywheel splines - do not pull it forcefully, but twist it slightly from side to side.

After removal, inspect the starter for external damage: cracks in the housing, burnt contacts or traces of oil (may indicate a leak from the box). If the Bendix teeth are chipped or worn, the starter must be replaced.

Negative battery terminal disconnected |

Air filter and pipes removed|

All wires are disconnected from the starter|

A tool has been prepared for “blindly” unscrewing the bottom bolt|

Checked the presence of supports under the wheels (if working under the machine) -->

Checking the starter after removal: how to determine the malfunction

Before installing a new starter or repairing an old one, you need to check its functionality. On Nissan Note The most common faults encountered are:

Symptom Possible reason How to check
The starter does not turn, a clicking sound is heard Defective solenoid relay Apply 12V to the control contact of the relay - if it does not work, replace the relay
The starter turns, but does not engage the flywheel Worn bendix or overrunning clutch Turn the bendix by hand - it should only rotate in one direction
The starter turns slowly, despite the charged battery Burnt brushes or commutator Disassemble the starter and inspect the brushes (minimum length - 7 mm)
Extraneous noise (grinding, squealing) Worn bendix bushings or teeth Rock the starter shaft - play of more than 0.5 mm is unacceptable

For full diagnostics, connect the starter to the battery according to the following diagram:

  • 🔋 Negative wire - on the starter housing.
  • 🔋 Positive wire - to the lower contact of the solenoid relay.
  • 🔋 Control wire (thin) - to the upper contact of the relay.

If the starter does not turn or turns jerkily, the problem is in the windings or brushes. If you hear a click, but there is no rotation, the solenoid relay is faulty. On Nissan Note with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km, it is the relay that most often fails - it can be replaced separately (cost ~ 1.5 thousand rubles).

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Before installing a new starter, clean the seat on the box from dirt and oil. Even small particles can cause misalignment and premature wear.

Starter installation and assembly: nuances for Nissan Note

Installing the starter is done in reverse order, but there are a few critical points that are often overlooked:

  1. Check the condition of the flywheel teeth. On Note With a mileage of more than 200 thousand km, they can be very worn out. If the teeth are chipped or nicked, the starter will slip and the flywheel will need to be replaced.

  2. Apply graphite lubricant onto the splines of the starter shaft. This will prevent sticking and make future dismantling easier.

  3. Tighten the bolts crosswiseto avoid skew. Tightening torque - 25-30 Nm (do not overtighten!).

  4. Check the gap between the starter and flywheel. It should be 0.5-1 mm. If the gap is larger, the starter will “beat” when starting.

After installation, do not rush to connect the battery. First check:

  • 🔹 Are all the wires connected (especially the control chip - it may not fall into place until it clicks).
  • 🔹 Are there any gaps between the starter and the box (tighten the bolts if necessary).
  • 🔹 Did you forget to remove the clamps from the pipes (if you took them to the side).
⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Note with the system Start/Stop (if installed) after replacing the starter, it may be necessary to reset the adaptations in the control unit. Without this, the system will not work correctly. To reset you need a diagnostic scanner (for example, Launch X431).

Typical mistakes when replacing a starter on a Nissan Note

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when working with the starter on Note. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them:

  1. Damage to the control chip when disconnected. On Nissan Note it is fragile - do not pull the wires, but press the plastic retainer.

  2. Incorrect bolt tightening. If you overtighten, you can break the threads in the aluminum box housing. If you don't tighten it enough, the starter will vibrate.

  3. Forgetting to check the bushings. Worn bushings lead to shaft play and rapid failure of the starter. On Note their resource is about 200 thousand km.

  4. Ignore flywheel check. If the teeth on the flywheel are worn, the new starter will not last long.

  5. ECU errors do not reset. After replacing the starter with Note with ECU latest versions may catch fire Check Engine. Error (usually P0615 or P0616) needs to be reset using the scanner.

Another common problem is mixing up wires when connected. On Note with Intelligent Key the thin control wire does not come directly from the ignition switch, but through the immobilizer unit. If you connect it incorrectly, the starter will not operate and the immobilizer indicator on the dashboard will light up.

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If after replacing the starter the engine does not start and clicks are heard, check the voltage on the control wire (it should be 12V when you turn the key). No voltage indicates a problem in the immobilizer or ignition switch circuit.

Cost of work and spare parts: what to choose for Nissan Note

Starter price for Nissan Note depends on the type (new, used, refurbished) and manufacturer. The table below shows current prices for 2026:

Starter type Manufacturer Approximate price, ₽ Notes
New (OEM) Mitsubishi Electric (original) 12 000 — 15 000 Article: 23300-4M000 or 23300-4M005
New (analog) Denso, Bosch, Valeo 8 000 — 10 000 The quality is comparable to the original, but the warranty is less
Refurbished Local workshops 4 000 — 6 000 Risk of rapid failure, 1-3 month warranty
Used (from disassembly) — 3 000 — 5 000 Mileage unknown, high risk of early breakdown

Cost of work in the service:

  • 🔧 Replacing the starter - 3 000 — 6 000 ₽ (depending on the region and difficulty of access).
  • 🔧 Fault diagnosis - 1 000 — 1 500 ₽.
  • 🔧 Replacing starter bushings - 2 000 — 3 000 ₽ (if disassembly is required).

Tip: if your budget is limited, pay attention to starters from Denso (article 280-0001). They are installed on Nissan Note from the factory and have a resource of 200+ thousand km. Of the budget analogues, they have proven themselves well Bosch 0 001 108 005 (suitable for HR16DE).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Nissan Note starter

Is it possible to start a Nissan Note with a faulty starter?

Yes, but only if the problem is in the starter itself, and not in the power circuit. Methods:

  • 🔹 Close the contacts of the retractor relay with a screwdriver (only if the relay is faulty, not the windings!).
  • 🔹 Start it "by push" (on a manual transmission) or by towing (on an automatic transmission - only in emergency cases!).
  • 🔹 Connect the starter directly to the battery (if the problem is in the control circuit).

Important: On Note with variator (CVT) towing is strictly not recommended - you can damage the box!

How to check the starter on a Nissan Note without removing it?

Here's a quick diagnostic:

  1. Check the voltage on the battery (must be at least 12.5V).
  2. When you turn the key, listen to the following sounds:
    • 🔊 Click without rotation - the solenoid relay is faulty.
    • 🔊 Grinding — wear of the bendix or flywheel.
    • 🔊 Silence — open circuit or malfunction of the ignition switch.
  • Check the fuse F30 (10A) in the block under the hood (responsible for the starter circuit).

    • If the starter turns, but the engine does not start, the problem is not in the engine, but in the ignition or fuel supply system.

    How long does it take to replace a starter on a Nissan Note?

    Time depends on experience and equipment:

    • 🔧 Newbie — 3-4 hours (including searching for bolts and dealing with stuck joints).
    • 🔧 For an experienced car owner - 1.5-2 hours.
    • 🔧 In service - 1 hour (if there are no complications).

    Unscrewing the bottom bolt takes the longest - this can take up to 30 minutes. The time also increases if the generator or heat shield needs to be removed.

    Is it possible to repair the starter on a Nissan Note or is it just a replacement?

    Repair is possible if:

    • 🔹 Brushes or bushings are worn out (replacement will cost 1,500-2,500 ₽).
    • 🔹 Faulty retractor relay (the cost of a new relay is ~1,500 ₽).
    • 🔹 The collector is dirty (cleaning and polishing).

    Cannot be repaired:

    • 🔹 The housing or windings are damaged (cracks, short circuit).
    • 🔹 Wear of Bendix teeth (replacement only).
    • 🔹 Interturn closure in windings.

    Repair is advisable if the starter is original (Mitsubishi Electric) and its resource has not yet been exhausted. Cheap analogues (no-name) there is no point in repairing them - they will quickly fail again.

    What starters are suitable for Nissan Note besides the original ones?

    Complete analogues of the original starter (23300-4M000):

    • 🔹 Denso 280-0001 (the best option in terms of price/quality ratio).
    • 🔹 Bosch 0 001 108 005 (suitable for HR16DE And CR14DE).
    • 🔹 Valeo 438086 (good budget option).
    • 🔹 Hitachi S125-010 (less common on sale, but reliable).

    When choosing, pay attention to polarity — on some analogues the arrangement of contacts may differ. Also check the package: the box should contain mounting bolts (sometimes they are not included).