87 S10 Truck Bad Starter or drive pinion.

if the starter spins fast, and cranks shaft is dead.
the starter is bad, or more exactly the pinion drive is dead.
but that is 99% the solenoid (starter bad)
replace or clean the solenoid drive,
make sure the pinion slides easy. there.

You may need to add shims to increase pinion gear to ring gear clearance !
Inspect the flywheel ring gear for damage or unusual wear.

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Shim the starter if applicable.

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In order to add pinion to ring gear clearance a full size shim must be used. Do not shim only 1 starter mounting bolt. There are 3 shims available in different shapes (for clearance). All are 1 mm (0.039 in) thick.

When you took off the old starter did you see any thin strips of metal ?

Try this:

Car Won't Start?
This procedure usually works:
·Check the battery cable connections:
Make sure the positive cable, makes a good connection at the battery and at the starter. Make sure the negative cable makes a good ground connection at the battery and (preferably) at the engine.

·Check the battery the simple way, like this:
Turn on the headlights, then try to start the car.If the headlights do not dim or go out, then the battery is likely ok.

·Check the starter and solenoid:
If the wiring looks ok, then look at the starter solenoid for a good connection, and proper voltage at the starter(10 volts minimum while cranking).
If the starter spins and no crank, the problem is most likely the Solenoid's pinion gear is stuck.
Have someone hit (not too hard) the starter while you try to start the car. This usually works by dislodging a stuck pinion gear.
·Make a simple test of the alternator:
If you can, somehow get the engine running, measure the voltage at the battery. It should be at least 13.6 volts to properly charge the battery.

could be a broken timing chain which will cause it to lock up
other than that check the oil level

could be a couple of thing,maybe your battery going bad,your ignition switch could be going bad,or possibly your starter.

Tilt the steering wheel down all the way and see if it starts, if it does then there is a main power wire loose in the steering columb. Thats all which comes to my mind at this time.

Check the battery if fully charged or try cleaning your starter or better yet, changing them.

Yes, i would check the starter for lose connections.

Hi there yep the switches are basically in the same location.Try the next time this happens to bump on the steering wheel while cranking or pushing in on the steering wheel towards the windshield if it starts right up you'll know for sure that its the switch or its out of ajustment.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/joe_a3369546f8067589

the starter should be replaced. The solenoid is kikcing the pinion out but there is no contact being made to turn the starter motor. I have the exact same truck and before i changed the starter used the old starter tap trick. Tap the starter casing with a hammer and it should start turning again. hope this was helpful for you. Good luck.