Starter

Complete removal and replacement of the starter motor on a 2009 Aston Martin DB9 6.0L V12, including access procedures through the wheelwell and undertray.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Starter motor × 1 — Use OEM specification or Aston Martin 6G43-11000-AA

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated (minimum 2 hours)
3. Raise vehicle on lift or support securely on jack stands at all four corners
4. Remove driver-side front wheel for improved wheelwell access
5. Disconnect negative battery terminal and isolate cable away from battery post
6. Wait minimum 10 minutes after battery disconnection for system discharge

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove driver-side wheelwell liner sections
   Access the driver-side front wheelwell. Locate and remove the plastic wheelwell liner fasteners securing the rear portion of the liner nearest the engine bay. These will typically be a combination of Torx screws and push-clip fasteners. Pull back or remove the rear section of the liner to expose the area at the rear of the engine block. You may not need to remove the entire liner—focus on the section providing access to the flywheel/bell housing area at the rear of the engine.
2. 2

   Remove undertray panels
   From beneath the vehicle, locate the front undertray panels covering the engine bay and transmission area. Remove the Torx fasteners securing the undertray sections. You will need to remove approximately 12-16 fasteners for the driver-side section. Lower the undertray carefully and set aside. These panels are typically T30 Torx fasteners on Aston Martin chassis.
3. 3

   Locate and access starter motor
   The starter motor is mounted on the driver side of the engine, at the rear of the V12 block at the engine's flywheel/bell housing area (note: the DB9 uses a rear-mounted transaxle, so the clutch/transmission is at the rear of the car — the starter engages the engine flywheel at the back of the block). It is positioned low on the block, requiring access from below and through the wheelwell. Verify exact starter location against Aston Martin DB9 service data. Use a shop light to positively identify the starter motor body (cylindrical, approximately 4-5 inches in diameter) and its electrical connections. Note the orientation and routing of wiring before removal.
4. 4

   Remove heat shield (if equipped)
   Check for a heat shield covering or surrounding the starter motor. If present, remove the heat shield mounting bolts using the appropriate Torx or E-Torx socket. The heat shield protects the starter from exhaust heat and may be secured with 2-3 bolts. Set the heat shield aside for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Heat Shield Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect starter electrical connections
   Locate the two electrical connections on the starter solenoid (mounted on top of the starter body). First, disconnect the small spade connector for the trigger wire by pulling straight off. Next, remove the nut securing the large B+ power cable to the solenoid stud using a 13mm socket. This cable carries full battery voltage, so ensure it does not contact ground once removed. Move both wires safely aside.
6. 6

   Remove upper starter mounting bolt
   Locate the upper starter mounting bolt, which secures the starter to the transmission bell housing. This bolt is accessed from above through the wheelwell or from below, depending on accessibility. The bolt head will typically be 15mm or 17mm. Use an extension bar and possibly a universal joint to reach the bolt. Remove the bolt completely and retain it for inspection (replace if damaged or excessively corroded).
   Torque spec

   Starter Mounting Bolt45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove lower starter mounting bolt
   Locate and remove the lower starter mounting bolt using the same socket size as the upper bolt. This bolt is typically accessed from below the vehicle. The lower bolt may be longer than the upper bolt and may require a longer extension to fully extract. Support the starter motor with one hand while removing this final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Starter Mounting Bolt45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove starter motor from vehicle
   With both mounting bolts removed, carefully maneuver the starter motor out of its mounting location. The starter engages with the flywheel/flexplate via a nose cone that extends into the bell housing—pull the starter straight back to disengage it, then rotate and lower it through the available access opening. The unit weighs approximately 8-10 lbs. Guide it carefully past any wiring, hoses, or exhaust components.
9. 9

   Inspect flywheel ring gear and mounting surface
   With the starter removed, use a flashlight to inspect the flywheel or flexplate ring gear teeth visible through the starter mounting hole. Look for worn, chipped, or missing teeth that could cause starter engagement problems. Also inspect the starter mounting boss on the bell housing for cracks or thread damage. If ring gear damage is found, flywheel/flexplate replacement will be required (separate procedure).
10. 10

    Prepare new starter motor
    Remove the new starter from its packaging and verify it matches the original unit in mounting bolt pattern, nose cone length, and electrical terminal configuration. Clean the mounting surface on the bell housing with a wire brush if necessary. Lightly coat the starter mounting bolt threads with anti-seize compound (avoid getting compound on the bolt head or mounting surfaces).
11. 11

    Install new starter motor
    Maneuver the new starter motor into position, guiding it through the access opening and past any obstructions. Align the starter nose cone with the bell housing opening and push the starter into place, ensuring the pinion gear properly engages with the flywheel/flexplate ring gear area. Align the mounting bolt holes with the bell housing threaded bosses.
12. 12

    Install and torque starter mounting bolts
    Install the lower starter mounting bolt first, threading it by hand to avoid cross-threading. Snug the bolt but do not fully tighten yet. Install the upper mounting bolt in the same manner. Once both bolts are started and the starter is properly seated, torque both bolts to the manufacturer-specified value (verify starter mounting bolt torque in Aston Martin DB9 service data before final tightening) using a torque wrench. Torque the lower bolt first, then the upper bolt. Note: Once both bolts are started and the starter is properly seated, torque both bolts to the OEM specification for the 2009 DB9 (verify exact starter mounting bolt torque and fastener size in the Aston Martin workshop manual before final torque — do not assume a generic value) using a torque wrench. Note: Once both bolts are started and the starter is properly seated, torque both bolts to the Aston Martin specified value (verify in official DB9 service data; a typical range for M10 starter mounting bolts is approximately 45 Nm / 33 lb-ft) using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Starter Mounting Bolt45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect starter electrical connections
    Reconnect the large B+ power cable to the solenoid stud, ensuring the cable terminal is clean and making full contact. Install the retaining nut and torque to the manufacturer-specified value for the solenoid B+ terminal (verify in Aston Martin DB9 service data) using a torque wrench. Reconnect the small spade connector for the trigger wire, pushing firmly until it clicks into place. Ensure both connections are secure and cannot vibrate loose. Note: Install the retaining nut and torque to the OEM specification (verify the solenoid B+ stud nut torque in the Aston Martin workshop manual — do not assume a generic value) using a torque wrench. Note: Install the retaining nut and torque to the Aston Martin specified value (verify in official DB9 service data; typically around 10-13 Nm / 7-10 lb-ft for solenoid B+ studs) using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Starter Solenoid Nut12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall heat shield
    If a heat shield was removed, position it back over the starter motor and install the mounting bolts. Torque the heat shield bolts to the OEM specification (verify in Aston Martin workshop manual; small M6 heat shield fasteners are commonly around 10 Nm / 7 lb-ft, but confirm before final torque). Ensure the heat shield does not contact any moving parts or interfere with starter operation.
    Torque spec

    Heat Shield Bolts10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall undertray and wheelwell liner
    Raise the undertray panels back into position and install all Torx fasteners, ensuring they are snug but not over-tightened (undertray fasteners typically do not have specified torque values—tighten to secure panel without cracking plastic). Reposition the wheelwell liner and install all fasteners and clips that were removed. Reinstall the driver-side front wheel and torque wheel bolts to manufacturer specification (verify in Aston Martin workshop manual; verify exact wheel fastener torque in Aston Martin DB9 service data — do not assume a generic value). Note: Reinstall the driver-side front wheel and torque lug nuts/bolts to manufacturer specification (verify exact wheel fastener torque in Aston Martin DB9 service data — do not assume a generic value). Note: Reinstall the driver-side front wheel and torque lug nuts/bolts to manufacturer specification (verify in official Aston Martin documentation for the 2009 DB9; commonly approximately 125 Nm / 92 lb-ft).
16. 16

    Reconnect battery and perform system verification
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal and torque to specification (verify in official Aston Martin documentation; battery terminal clamps are commonly in the 5-8 Nm range). Turn the ignition to the ON position without starting the engine. Verify that all warning lights behave normally and that no new electrical faults are present. Perform the starter function test as described in the verification section. Note: Reconnect the negative battery terminal and torque to the manufacturer specification (verify in Aston Martin DB9 service data; small battery terminal clamp bolts are commonly around 5-8 Nm, but confirm).

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connections are secure and properly routed away from heat sources and moving parts
2. Verify all undertray fasteners and wheelwell liner clips are installed—loose panels can cause wind noise or damage at speed
3. Double-check that no tools or parts have been left in the engine bay or wheelwell areas
4. Torque wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to ensure even seating

Verification

• With the vehicle in Park (automatic) or Neutral (manual, if applicable) and parking brake engaged, attempt to start the engine. The starter should engage smoothly with a clean, strong cranking sound without grinding, clicking, or hesitation
• Listen for any abnormal noises during cranking such as grinding (indicates flywheel ring gear or pinion gear damage) or rapid clicking (indicates electrical connection problem or low battery)
• Verify the engine starts normally and the starter disengages immediately once the engine is running
• After the initial start, turn off the engine and attempt 2-3 additional cold starts to confirm consistent starter operation
• Inspect the starter area for any fluid leaks, loose wiring, or smoking that might indicate installation problems
• Test-drive the vehicle after it reaches operating temperature and perform one hot restart to verify starter performance when heat-soaked

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