The starter on a 4.3 liter Vortec engine can fail in several ways, the most common being: intermittent starting, failure to start or failure to engage. No matter the reason, the starter must be removed so that it can be inspected for replacement or rebuilding. The starter on the 4.3 Vortec is relatively easy to remove compared to some other vehicles. It should only require a fewl common tools and an afternoon's time to remove.
Open the hood and locate the vehicle's battery. Loosen and remove the negative battery terminal with a ratchet and socket.
Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and secure it on jack stands.
Crawl beneath the passenger's side of the vehicle and locate the starter. The starter is attached to the engine at the point where the engine and transmission come together; the starter is a metal, cylindrical object with two wires running into it.
Loosen and remove the nuts securing the two wires to the top of the starter with a ratchet and socket, then pull the wires from the starter.
Look on the underside of the starter and locate the two starter bolts -- one inner and one outer.
Loosen and remove the two starter bolts and pull the starter toward the front of the vehicle and downward to remove it. Be sure to save any metal shims that come off when the starter is removed; these are important for reinstallation.
