Hello.

I have a 2003 Grand Caravan with a bad starter which I am trying to replace. I need to get the new starter in soon as the van is stuck in the wal-mart parking lot.

When I removed the old starter a shim came out with it.

Well this shim is kicking my butt trying to fit back in with the new starter

I can put the starter in no problem without the shim.

With the shim I can't seem to keep it from moving around because there is so little space that it always brushes against something and it moves off the guide pin or makes it misalign. With so little room, low visibility and a heavy starter it is hard to get it in with the shim.

So do I need this shim or can I just put in the new starter without it? Will this cause any problems?

If I need the shim is there any advice you can offer on how to keep it from moving around so that I can get the starter positioned?

Thanks for any advice as I need to get this van going as soon as possible.

 

you need the shim.
I agree it can be a pain, but with patience it will go in.
I recently replaced mine and just replaced the contacts.
I just put the shim on the pin and got it in.
If you feel it is constantly falling off you can hold it together with some dental floss until you get it up there and bolted in. (Crazy but I have done it before )

Here is a pic of the starter with the shim - off the van