97 k2500 5.7L Vortec - Solenoid clicks, starter won't engage. Last fall I unbolted it and bolted it back up it worked.

Replace the starter. It's not a coil, it's the solenoid. You can't get it without the starter.

same as all cars
1: battery neg lug removed, tied back. (or boom happens)
2: remove all wires to starter, solenoid.and starter.
3: unbolt starter (nuts and bolts on base)
4: starter falls to earth.
reverse above to replace.

So when your engine is hot the starter won't engage. Try cleaning and tightening the wires that are bolted to your starter first. You want bare shiny metal to metal at all your connections. Take care when unbolting the wires because you could strip or break the studs on the solenoid. If this doesn't help then I would say the solenoid is going bad and will need to be replaced. It's usually a good idea to replace the starter and solenoid as one unit. Hope this helps.

Potentially it is either a bad solenoid in the starter, or an ignition switch.
It's hard to say, but most often it is the starter. This is NOT a fun job, although it is tight, it can be done from up top.On a 300M, I would drain the cooling system (really) and remove the left side exhaust manifold and heat shield (has a band type clamp) , then remove or move the thermostat tube that feeds the heater, and you can unbolt the 3 (14mm) bolts, un-clip the solenoid wire, and unbolt the battery wire. (13MM). Make SURE you disconnect the battery FIRST. AND watch the spacer shield against the bell housing. it MUST go back in place the same way you took it out. If you have someone do it for you, I'd bet it's at least a hundred plus the starter. Get a good one. you WON'T want to do it again.-dpc

first unhook the battery! then unbolt the cables from the back of the starter! be sure to mark them with masking tape, or something you can use to identify what wire goes where! then unbolt the starter bolts from the starter, and remove it! reverse this to put new starter back in!

1995-97 4.3L MODELS and 1995-99 2.2L models



Fig. 5: The starter motor on later model 4.3L engines is retained by two long bolts

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the front of the truck safely using jackstands.
3. If necessary for access, disconnect the front exhaust pipe.
4. If equipped, remove the starter heat shield.
5. On the 2.2L engine, remove the brace rod from the front of the engine and the bell housing.
6. On 2.2L engines, remove the drivers side wheel to access the starter motor wires and the starter motor attaching bracket-to-engine bolt through the opening in the wheel well.
7. Disengage the wires from the starter solenoid.
8. On the 2.2L engine, remove the attaching bracket-to-engine mount bolt.
9. Remove the starter-to-engine block bolts. When removing the last bolt, be sure to support the starter to keep it from falling and possibly injuring you.
10. Carefully lower the starter and shims (if equipped) from the vehicle.
11. If necessary, remove the bracket (2.2L engine) or the shield (4.3L engine) from the starter assembly.
    

To install:

1. If removed, install the bracket or shield to the starter, as applicable. Tighten the bracket nuts to 97 inch lbs. (11 Nm) or the shield nuts to 106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
2. Carefully raise the starter and shims (if equipped) into position in the vehicle and thread one of the retaining bolts to hold it in position.
3. On the 2.2L engine, loosely install the bracket-to-engine mount bolt.
4. Install the remaining starter mounting bolt, then tighten all mounting fasteners to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm).
5. Engage the wiring to the solenoid as noted during removal.
6. On the 2.2L engine, install the brace rod and tighten the retainers.
7. If disconnected for access, install the front exhaust pipe and tighten the fasteners.
8. If equipped, install the starter heat shield.
9. On 2.2L engines, install the drivers side wheel.
10. Remove the jackstands and carefully lower the truck.
11. Connect the negative battery cable.

Hope helps.

STARTER REPLACEMENT ( 1995-97 4.3L MODELS )



Fig.: The starter motor on later model 4.3L engines is retained by two long bolts

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the front of the truck safely using jackstands.
3. If necessary for access, disconnect the front exhaust pipe.
4. If equipped, remove the starter heat shield.
5. On the 2.2L engine, remove the brace rod from the front of the engine and the bell housing.
6. On 2.2L engines, remove the drivers side wheel to access the starter motor wires and the starter motor attaching bracket-to-engine bolt through the opening in the wheel well.
7. Disengage the wires from the starter solenoid.
8. On the 2.2L engine, remove the attaching bracket-to-engine mount bolt.
9. Remove the starter-to-engine block bolts. When removing the last bolt, be sure to support the starter to keep it from falling and possibly injuring you.
10. Carefully lower the starter and shims (if equipped) from the vehicle.
11. If necessary, remove the bracket (2.2L engine) or the shield (4.3L engine) from the starter assembly.

To install:

1. If removed, install the bracket or shield to the starter, as applicable. Tighten the bracket nuts to 97 inch lbs. (11 Nm) or the shield nuts to 106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
2. Carefully raise the starter and shims (if equipped) into position in the vehicle and thread one of the retaining bolts to hold it in position.
3. On the 2.2L engine, loosely install the bracket-to-engine mount bolt.
4. Install the remaining starter mounting bolt, then tighten all mounting fasteners to 32 ft. lbs. (43 Nm).
5. Engage the wiring to the solenoid as noted during removal.
6. On the 2.2L engine, install the brace rod and tighten the retainers.
7. If disconnected for access, install the front exhaust pipe and tighten the fasteners.
8. If equipped, install the starter heat shield.
9. On 2.2L engines, install the drivers side wheel.
10. Remove the jackstands and carefully lower the truck.
11. Connect the negative battery cable.

Hope this help (remember rated this help) Good luck.

You may want to check some things out before actually replacing the starter.

Check the fuse in the fuse box and the relay.

There are two parts to the starter. One is the actual starter motor and the other in the starter solenoid. The solenoid moves the starter motor into place and engages it into the engine.

When you turn the key you should hear the solenoid click as it moves the starter. If you hear the click and the sound of the stater motor spinning it is just the solenoid. It can be replaced without replacing the starter motor.

If you hear the click and no sound of the starter motor trying to turn. It is the starter motor.

It check for power at the motor. Use a test light or voltage meter to see it is getting power when the key is turned.

If you are getting power you have a problem with the starter motor as you suspect already. The above may save you money.

To change the motor it is fairly simple to do. You remove the four bolts holding the motor in place, remove the electrical connections. Slide the motor out. Installation is the reverse of removal.

I am assuming you know where the starter is. On a diesel it is on the back of the engine. On a gas engine it is on the front side.

If you really want to get into it you can replace the brushes on the starter motor. Once out you open the starter and install new brushes it they appear warn and are not making contact.

If you need details I would go to the library and ask for the Bentley service manual. They will have one or can get one from another branch.

Hope this helps.

#1disconnect battery #2disconnect wires from solenoid #remove bolts that go through bottom of starter in to engine block lower starter place on bench disconnect power cable between starter and solenoid then two bolts that hold solenoid to starter replace in reverse if it is the original starter from 97 i would replace with new only common hand tools needed some people unbolt starter first rotate for easier access to electric connections but starter is very heavy if you drop it it could **** wires off

disconnect the red battery cable from the battery. jack up the truck, then find the starter it is where the engine and transmission come together, then on the top of the starter is the solenoid on the back of the solenoid the are wires, you need to unbolt these, but remember where they go go after you unbolt those take out the starter bolts they run vertical through the front of the starter to the engine block. there should be two bolts take them out and watch out so you dont get hit in the head when you remove the last bolt.then reverse to install.