How to Change a Starter on a 1991 Chevy 1500
by Gregory Crews
Changing the starter on a 1991 Chevrolet truck should not take very long. The starter is easy to access from under the truck and the bolts are easy to unscrew with a socket wrench. To ensure the starter is bad, take it to the automotive-parts store to have it bench tested to ensure it is indeed faulty. The parts store will be able to tell if it is bad before you buy a replacement.
Step 1
Prop open the hood for access to the engine compartment. Disconnect the battery by unbolting the cables at the top of the battery.
Step 2
Trace the red cable to the bottom of the engine on the passenger side. The red cable is connected to the top of the starter. Removing the starter will require crawling under the truck.
Step 3
Disconnect the cable by unbolting it from the starter solenoid. Loosen the bolt and pull the terminal off the starter. Disconnect the smaller wire by removing the nut and pulling the lead off.
Step 4
Unbolt the three bolts holding the starter to the frame. The bolts are in a triangle pattern,
Step 5
Pull the starter off the frame. The starter may be stubborn and can be tapped with a hammer to loosen it from the frame if needed.
Step 6
Position the new starter to the frame. Tighten the bolts by hand until all three bolts are started. Secure the bolts with a socket wrench.
Step 7
Connect the positive cable to the starter solenoid by unbolting the nut and placing the lead on to the stud. Tighten the nut over the lead until tight. Install the smaller wire on to the remaining stud. Do not over tighten the nuts, as this could strip out the threads.
Step 8
Connect the battery by tightening the cables back on to the terminals. Ensure the red cable is attached to the positive terminal. The positive cable is designated by a "+" symbol.
Step 9
Start the truck to ensure the starter is functioning correctly.
References
- "Chevrolet and GMC Pick-ups Haynes Repair Manual for 1988 thru 1998 Full-size Light-duty Gasoline Engine Models"; John Haynes; 1999
Tips
- Place the old starter in the box the new starter came in. Turn in the old starter to the parts store to receive the core credit. The core credit is charged to the price of the starter to ensure the old starter is returned.
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Socket set
- New starter
Warnings
- Use caution when working under a truck. Ensure the parking brake is set and the truck is parked on a flat, level surface.
Writer Bio
Gregory Crews has been in the film industry for three years and has appeared in more than 38 major motion pictures and 16 television shows. He also writes detailed automotive tutorials. His expertise in the automotive industry has given him the skills to write detailed technical instructional articles.
