Chevrolet S10 Starters
Chevrolet S10 starters are the electric motor designed to spin the engine whenever the ignition key is turned over to the starting position. This is the key component to start and run the engine. These parts are offered as a genuine OEM Chevrolet part or from an aftermarket brand, including ACDelco, BBB Industries, Bosch, DENSO, Remy, and TYC.
How do Chevrolet S10 starters work?The solenoid in the starter continuously gets electric power from your ignition when the ignition turns over to the starting position. Power is then transferred from the solenoid over to the starter. This allows the starter to turn your engine flywheel, which extends the starters pinion to contact the flywheel ring gear. These events force your crankshaft to turn until the engine starts to run off its own power.
How do you know when the Chevrolet starter is bad?The most obvious symptom to look out for is when the pickup fails to start after the key is turned. The solenoid may click, but the crankshaft will not rotate and the vehicle wont start. This typically happens because there isnt enough continuity between the solenoid and the starter.
If you hear a rapidly spinning or whirring noise when turning the key, the starter may be working, but the pinion is not extending to make contact with the flywheel ring gear. When this happens, the starter and solenoid should be inspected for failure.
When do Chevrolet S10 starters need to be replaced?For most cars and trucks with less than 100,000 miles, problems with the starter are rare. Afterward, failures become more common for the S10 model once you get up to around 125,000 miles. If the vehicle starts and stops frequently throughout the year, the lifespan of the starter may be significantly shorter.
Vehicles with an automatic start-and-stop option are also more prone to premature failure. Issues related to unnecessarily repeated cranking or long cranking can also be a contributing factor in shortening the lifespan of the starter. If you have a manual transmission, you may be able to push-start the S10 to turn the flywheel and make it run. If you have an automatic transmission, you will not be able to push-start or drive with a bad starter.
How do you replace the Chevy S10 starter?In order to properly diagnose starter issues, you need to connect the vehicle to a charging and starting tester. This machine will provide a readout, but you may still need a qualified technician to look in the interior for a visual assessment.
If you do need a replacement, the first steps involved are disconnecting the battery and then the starter from all the electrical components. After they are both disconnected, you can remove the starter by taking off a few bolts. Installing the new starter is just as easy; simply reverse the process.