I need to replace my starter, but i cannot get the correct part for my montero, it makes a grinding noise at starting the vehicle because it is not the correct starter.
has anyone changed the stater on the 2002 Montero Limited? If so, which part did you use? Thank you

 

Where did you get the starter? It is possible that you were given a starter for Montero Sport. You'd be surprised how often sales clerks make this mistake.

One other thing to check - with your starter motor removed, take a look at the teeth on the flywheel (flex plate). Are all of them there? Any damage visible? If you got any missing teeth, that might be your problem even if you have the right starter. If no issues visible, then it is simply a wrong starter. Did you compare it to the one you removed? Does it look like the same dimensions and style?

 

I got it from Oreilly, and first they gave me the one that supposedly is for my montero limited, but it wasnt because that one made a grinding noise all the time, so I took it out, and I compared the oreillys one with the one it had, and it was different, so i went to orellys and they gave me one from a montero sport and that one was pretty similar to the stock one, so i gave it a try but still it wasnt the correct one. it is slightly different in comparison with the stock one. the montero sport one just make a noise when i try to start the car afterwards when the car is running the noise stops. so i assume it is not the correct starter because it still not the same as the stock one, and with the stock one it didnt make a sound, so i assume it is the starter that it is wrong.
I checked the teeth and they look good, no damage and they are complete.

 

Have you considered ordering a starter online? You can get an OEM or an afermarket. Try rockauto.com I had good luck with them and prices are good.

 

Any new information on this thread? I’m having a similar problem. My brother in law (not mechanically inclined) started having this same issue when he changed the starter. Now I have the car and am trying to figure it out.

 

Rock Auto with the V.I.N. number will solve the problem. Or try NAPA. More $, less hassle.

 

I finally got the correct starter and can now start putting it back together. I’ll include the picture of the 2 Montero starters next to each other to see the differences. It’s wild that it took so long to get my hands on the right one 😅