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OT: Swap Chevy Silverado Starter?

rasher | Posted in Tools for Home Building on February 8, 2008 07:42am

The starter is beginning to go out in my 1999 Chevy Silverado. The “bang it with a pipe” trick still works, but obviously I need to think about replacing it. My truck is the 4.8L V8. How hard is it to replace, and where is the best (cheapest) place to get the part?
Thanks!

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  1. joeh | Feb 08, 2008 08:16pm | #1

    Ebay, where else?

    Joe H

  2. frenchy | Feb 08, 2008 08:38pm | #2

    rasher,

      Chances are your starter is fine.   The starter solenoid is what's causing problems.. the reason that is failing/failed is because you ran the battery down too far..  keep good batteries in it that are less than 4 years old, don't drain the battery by leaving lights on etc. and your starter would last as long as mine has  ( 280,000 miles) 

      So chances are you need a new battery (or you've just replaced it)  You can swap the solenoid out easily enough or buy both.. you won't save that much over buying on E bay so call your local parts dealers, NAPA etc.. rebuilt starter have been improperly rebuilt before so you'll want someplace that will replace it right away without you needing to ship things off and wait..    It's pretty easy to replace  (typically about 15 minutes)   but remember to disconnect the battery ground cable first.

    1. rasher | Feb 08, 2008 08:59pm | #3

      Thanks for the input. My electrical system is otherwise fine. Battery was replaced last year and I don't think I run it down too bad.Is the solenoid replaceable separate of the starter motor? My Haynes repair manual (Awful book, by the way) shows the solenoid and the starter motor as a consolidated unit. Looking online, it seems like the two are sold together, too. Around $100 is the price I'm finding.The biggest problem I have with Haynes is that it walks you step by step how to replace the starter motor, but it doesn't tell you WHERE it is. The pictures don't give any context. Obviouly, its down by the transmission, but I didn't figure it to be on the passenger side until the tow truck driver showed me.15 minute replacement, huh? I suppose I'll give it a go!

      1. frenchy | Feb 08, 2008 09:17pm | #4

        rasher, 

           Yes the solenoid can be replaced seperately but often people figure what the heck  may as well.......

          as for time Don't forget I have nearly eavery tool that Snap On sells  plus I earned my living for  a few years as a mechanic..

         Your time will differ, objects in the mirror are closer than they appear, close cover before striking <grin> 

          Your not knowing that nearly every starter made is on the passenger side  is reason for me to worry..  (a tiny hand full are located elsewhere but they are really obsure)  

         OOps that's on conventional front engine rear wheel drive cars.. on front wheel drive cars there are differances..

        1. rasher | Feb 08, 2008 09:29pm | #5

          Well, I'm not fast, but I can usually figure it out. I'm just complaining about the quality of my Haynes manual for the truck as compared to the excellent BMW book I have with drawings that show everything.

          1. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Feb 08, 2008 09:52pm | #6

            Starters mount bolts/nuts are often in an awkward position to reach.  So before you start, have a good look and figure out what kind of wrench or combination of socket and extension you'll need to get to all of them. 

            1/2" drive rachet with a six point socket (might need a deep socket) would be my preference. There's quite a bit of torque on those bolts/nuts so they may take some serious leverage to remove.  You want to be able to tighten them well too. 

            You'll also need to decide whether you're going to attack it from above, below or a combination of several positions.  The best position is usually standing below with the vehicle on a lift but it can be done lying down too. 

            This is a job which is best done when the engine is cold.  There are a lot of things around the start which get very hot when the engine runs so park the truck where you intend to work on it and leave overnight.

             

             

             

            Edited 2/8/2008 1:59 pm by Hudson Valley Carpenter

          2. frenchy | Feb 08, 2008 10:15pm | #7

            Hudson Valley carpenter..

              Chevy starter bolts are down not sideways.    There are two of them.  They used to be 9/16ths but now I suspect they are either 14 or 15 mm.  That causes the starter to drop down and then all you need do is remove the cables from the starter..  If you keep the shim set you shouldn't even need to adjust it.. just reconnect the wires and tighten back up the bolts..

          3. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Feb 08, 2008 11:44pm | #8

            Nice to hear that somebody at GM is thinking about replacements, and that the swap is much easier than it used to be. 

          4. frenchy | Feb 09, 2008 12:40am | #10

            Hudson Valley carpenter

              It's been that way since about the 70's I think.. easy quick swap.

          5. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Feb 09, 2008 01:31am | #11

            I haven't owned a GM truck since the mid-70's and it had the more typical mounting. 

            Since then I've owned 4 cyclinder Toyota trucks which are a minor PIA to swap starters on, due to the problems I described in my first reply to the OP...the same things I remember from every other starter I've replaced over the years.   

          6. User avater
            MarkH | Feb 09, 2008 12:40am | #9

            My 87 caprice was pure hell to change the starter.  Exhaust interference, plus I think I hade to remove a brace from the frame that had frozen in place bolts.  And no room to work either.

  3. junkhound | Feb 09, 2008 01:49am | #12

    Fill in your profile (click on your name and the profile comes up)

     

    If you are in the Seattle area I'll give you a starter or show you how to fix your own for < $10 (cost of the brushes and possibly a copper bolt). I think '99 still have the 2 bolt starter like Frenchy described, first one I had with one like that was a '73.

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