stock 2009 C6 coupe starter replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 3
From: Silicon Valley California
St. Jude Donor '09-'11
stock 2009 C6 coupe starter replacement
Starter is a goner, one of the connectors is broken off and the wire just dangling.
Is it required to lift the engine as described in the service manual? I can lift the car but have no capability for lifting the engine. I would just want to loosen or remove the catalytic convertor to get access and replace the starter.
Can anyone comment who has actually done a starter replacement?
Is it required to lift the engine as described in the service manual? I can lift the car but have no capability for lifting the engine. I would just want to loosen or remove the catalytic convertor to get access and replace the starter.
Can anyone comment who has actually done a starter replacement?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,500
Likes: 3,625
Starter is a goner, one of the connectors is broken off and the wire just dangling.
Is it required to lift the engine as described in the service manual? I can lift the car but have no capability for lifting the engine. I would just want to loosen or remove the catalytic convertor to get access and replace the starter.
Can anyone comment who has actually done a starter replacement?
Is it required to lift the engine as described in the service manual? I can lift the car but have no capability for lifting the engine. I would just want to loosen or remove the catalytic convertor to get access and replace the starter.
Can anyone comment who has actually done a starter replacement?
Just the passenger cat out of the way, since the starter is right above it.
Just unbolt the cat from the bottom of the exhaust manifold, front to the X pipe conections and will drop right out.
http://parts.nalleygmc.com/showAssem...category=19399
Also, while you are changing the starter and have the battery disconnected, pull the negativity wire off the engine block (just above the starter location, clean and dielectric grease it as well to reinstall it too.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,475
Likes: 97
From: KY/TN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16
I just replaced mine. Service manual said nothing about lifting the engine, but recommended to remove the cat. I just loosened the exhaust manifold bolts and it allowed enough room to slide the starter in.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection
2. Remove the right catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection
2. Remove the right catalytic converter. Refer to Catalytic Converter Replacement - Right Side
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 33
From: Southern cali
move the passenger side cat out of the way by unbolting the back end near the crossover pipe... it will give you enough room to drop the starter.
Also , you stated the connectors are broken off --- I think you have a solenoid issue and NOT a starter issue. If so, just replace it -- about $20 rather than $300-$700 for a new starter.
Post a pic and we can confirm if in fact it is a solenoid issue.
Also , you stated the connectors are broken off --- I think you have a solenoid issue and NOT a starter issue. If so, just replace it -- about $20 rather than $300-$700 for a new starter.
Post a pic and we can confirm if in fact it is a solenoid issue.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
move the passenger side cat out of the way by unbolting the back end near the crossover pipe... it will give you enough room to drop the starter. 
Also , you stated the connectors are broken off --- I think you have a solenoid issue and NOT a starter issue. If so, just replace it -- about $20 rather than $300-$700 for a new starter.
Post a pic and we can confirm if in fact it is a solenoid issue.
Also , you stated the connectors are broken off --- I think you have a solenoid issue and NOT a starter issue. If so, just replace it -- about $20 rather than $300-$700 for a new starter.
Post a pic and we can confirm if in fact it is a solenoid issue.
Good info. While the dealer may say that starter and solenoid are only sold as one unit, parts stores separate and sell solenoid separately. Same way the ball joints and A-arms work.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
If you can lift the car you can lift the engine. All it takes is a jack and a piece of wood. There's two nuts that connect the engine mounts to the front cradle. Remove those and jack the engine up, if that's what is needed. That's all there is to it assuming you don't need to raise it 6" or something crazy like that.
I've never changed a starter on a C6, but I have raised the engine several times. Be conscientious of the intake hitting the firewall, as that will limit how far up you can go
Seems loosening or removing the passenger side cat may be just as easy
I've never changed a starter on a C6, but I have raised the engine several times. Be conscientious of the intake hitting the firewall, as that will limit how far up you can go
Seems loosening or removing the passenger side cat may be just as easy
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 144
Likes: 29
From: Champlin MN
Dragging this thread back up from the grave to add a little personal experience. Took the starter out last night and found the same thing, a broken connector on the solenoid. I'll swap out the solenoid tonight and put back in. The best part is I did not have to jack up the engine or loosen the cat, it came out after removing the black plastic dust filter.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Laveen, AZ
Someone want to give me the part number and where the solenoid was purchased? I am about to do this myself but not sure which solenoid I should use. Napa does sell a starter/solenoid for $117 not a bad price considering but just the solenoid would be a lot cheaper.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,500
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https://www.amazon.com/DB-Electrical-Solenoid-Starters-10-DE263S/dp/B06X6JF3CL/ref=sr_1_1/141-2263505-3243834?ie=UTF8&qid=1513596083&sr=8-1&keywords=10503939
Or
https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Quality-Solenoid-Replaces-10503939/dp/B019CY7HVE
Hence Ac/ Delco part # 10503939
Last edited by Dano523; Aug 2, 2018 at 11:24 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Any local auto electric shop carries solenoids. They'll install them for about $10 too, if you bring in the starter motor. It's less than a 10 minute job.