Mike (71.35.193.34) - Tue Oct 28 21:10:01 2008

I have a 2000 Chevy S10 pickup. The starter keeps going out. It spins, but the gear shaft won't go in to engage the engine. I have changed the starter 4 times. Once changed, it works great for about 4-6 months, then goes out. The starter solonoid is close to an exhaust pipe, and likely gets really hot. There is a heat shield there, but I don't think it's working because it keeps going out. Any ideas? Is there some sort of transmission problem that is chewing up the starters?

Reply #1 Gary (24.154.75.182) - Sat Jan 10 11:31:16 2009

Know of similar situation on friends truck. Starter came with note about shim which was disregarded since no shims were provided with new starter. Starter sounded funny about a month after new one installed. Ready to go buy shim kit and do some investigating.

Reply #2 Shaun (137.229.136.57) - Tue Feb 24 12:51:30 2009

i have the same problem in my chevy, bout to go buy a new one again...

Reply #3 robert (98.112.29.160) - Mon Mar 2 18:45:36 2009

I have a 1996 chey s10, the battery cought on fire so went and dought a new one and when i tried to connect the terminals it arks, all the wire's seem to be okay so what can it be.

Reply #4 Oscar (207.59.102.2) - Mon Apr 6 12:13:19 2009

I am replacing my 3rd starter, same problem, starter spins but the solonoid won't engage. The clip on "factory" heat shield is a joke. I am going to screw an aluminium plate to the floor board vertically between the pipe and starter.

Heat is the problem, there are tight tolerances in the solonoids and lubricants in the momentum linkage, and when it "COOKS" from the 800+ degrees of the exhaust they fail quickly.

Reply #5 Paul Deverick (71.156.89.65) - Sun Apr 12 19:10:56 2009

I have a 1995 Chevy s10 xtend cab 4cyl.I had a new starter put on and it was ok for about a week and then I went to start it and it was like it had no juice to the starter the dash lites wont dim when i turn the key I put a new safty switch inside down by the clutch pedel and still no go i took it back to the machinic and he looked at it and tried to start it by jumping across the cylanoid and he said it has no juice to the stareter snd he don't do elec.work on autos can someone give me a hint to what to look for oh i can push start it Help Tired of pushing my truck

Reply #6 mark rutherford (71.229.47.145) - Sat May 9 11:02:28 2009

1992 Chevy S10 4.3, Need help with removing starter, There are 2 long bolts connected, I was able to remove 1, but the other is in such an awkard position, being too close to the frame. I have the truck on jacks because I couldnt get it to the shop on a lift, so about a foot and a half of work room. Truck is older, I'm sure bolts are rusted, been using wd40 and such, bolt size is 14, tried ratcheting but the bar won't fit straight because of the frame. Is there anything else, or do i just need to buy a damn compressor with some power tools. any advice would be helpful.

Reply #7 bill brooks (74.162.20.65) - Sun Jun 21 13:31:37 2009

I have 95 s10 that keeps going through starters, I tried putting in shims, but I think it was too late, any way, the shield is missing from the flywheel, could not having it on contribute to the problem of debris damaging the starter?

Reply #8 tyler burrett (67.177.146.255) - Sun Aug 16 21:10:42 2009

i have a 1991 chevy s-10 idk what the problem is but some times the starter will work and then some times not i know its not the starter cuz i just put a new one in and it does the same thing but when start the truck by pushin it and letting out the clutch then turn the key over it works so any one know what kind of s goin on here cuz it cot me confused as a mother er

Reply #9 Joe (192.139.30.1) - Sat Aug 22 16:55:19 2009

Where is the starter located on my 1992 4.3 litre 2wd s10?

Reply #10 Thomas (69.180.185.118) - Tue Aug 25 15:11:53 2009

I have a similar problem with my 1995 Chevy S-10, the darn thing starts after a few hundred tries but it wont stay started. Also it doesn't get up to speed and the Service engine soon lite keeps coming up and going off. I need any information you may have about this problem.

Reply #11 Michael Welsh (174.130.136.167) - Sat Aug 29 14:43:17 2009

Have tried everythingnew distributor, new battery, gas filter check all ground wires, only way it starts if put gasoline in carbuator checked all fuses, checked electronic system, must put battery charger and put gas in carberator, just baffeled what can we do?

Reply #12 John (72.234.143.55) - Wed Sep 9 14:15:41 2009

I put the trans. in low the other day, and the shifter jammed in first and the key stays on and won't come out??

Thanks for any help.

Reply #13 tyler burrett (67.177.146.255) - Sat Sep 26 16:31:32 2009

ok any one with a 91 s-10 and you have troubble with it starting take the in clutch safety sitch completely off and hard wire it .... it will help you out alot ... and it that aint the problem well it will be a problem in the long run but if you love cruz controll then dont do it !!!

Reply #14 Louis L. Howard (72.26.149.211) - Fri Oct 9 21:31:53 2009

i have a 1999 Chevy S-10 ext. cab pickup with 4.3 and auto. at 180, 000 the antifreeze started going around the intake gasket and going into the pan. i have never replaced the starter. 2 water pumps, 3 batterys, and 2 alternators. now i cant get the engine and trans out together. is this possible? bought a nearly new 4.3 engine and trans to transplant. dont like the new colorado with a 5 cyl. engine. probable could not find parts for one of those. Louis

Reply #15 joe (71.180.139.136) - Mon Oct 12 21:39:33 2009

ABOUT S10 Starters. 1st check to make sure you even have the starter heat shield. If your starter was replaced chances are the stupid mechanic threw it away. If yours is gone, hurry up and find one, because they are out of production...2nd. even if you do have the heat shield YOU must have shims. Without shims it will work, even sound o.k. to untrained ear. But as the bendix engages the flywheel it has tapered Bull nose teeth. This is so it can find its way into the teeth of the flywheel. Problem is without shims, it is a too tight fit, eventually making the bendix pivot arm loose and worn in a matter of weeks or months. Now a loose bendix shaft arm will let the solenoid piston jam in the coil socket cockeyed, and not recess all the way back. Now that it is recessed part way back into the coil socket and cockeyed , and not all the way back, As the engine is running and you are driving to your destination it warms the bendix piston expanding and tightening it into the socket even more. The solenoid piston is made of aluminum and expands faster and more than the surrounding steel. Now you will have to wait for the engine to fully cool and free the solenoid piston so it can be free. If you turn the start key while the piston is cockeyed (say twisted to the left), the solenoid will try to force the piston forward instantly jamming the front of it into the side wall. Now remember it is not all the way forward. It needs to be all the way forward to make the electrical contacts engage for the starter motor power. SO, even the starter motor wont turn, and the solenoid wont click because it is jammed. This is why you get nothing when you turn the key, not even a click till it cools. The piston is stuck and not all the way back. Sometimes hitting it frees it and it will recess. If you have to hit a starter, it is a sign the bendix pivot arm is totally worn allowing the piston to enter the solenoid coil socket cockeyed. 3rd. The S10 starter is a piss poor design. far too close to the exhaust manifold, and the stock heat shield sucks. The setup requires everything to be perfect (i.e. shield, shims, and solenoid mechanisms). 4th Starters today do NOT properly lubricate the solenoid with dielectric grease. Most if not all come new with dry cylinders. If you get a new one, open it up and grease the piston well, it will last a lot longer. 5th take your snap on heat shield off, and bond a piece of thermal cloth ( silver stuff at autozone) to the entire face of it. 5th. Do not let someone wrap your starter with a starter blanket. It will keep heat in that is conducted to the starter thru the engine block.

6th. so shim, shield, and grease. that's it. Lastly, if you never want a heat problem again, foot the bill for a racing starter that has NO solenoid on it, the solenoid mounts to fire wall. Like ford does.

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