How do you replace a car starter on a 1981 Chevrolet El Camino?

Answer 1

if your wiring from scratch the original vettes had a positive battery cable on the main bigger terminal on the starter solenoid. they woul also have fusable links that feed certain circuits power when ignition like lights horn auto locks brake lights. the s terminal is the signal from the ignition swich that would engage starter when key was turned all the way, the start wire from ignition switch is wired through a safety circuit, for manual transthe circuit is open until clutch pedal is depressed with auto trans its wired through the neutral safety switch. the reson for this is so when you try to start your car in gear it will not engage starter until clutch padel is depressed, with auto if car is left in any gear except park or neutral the starter will not engage. I have seen many people hurt running direct feed to starter. they turn the key and the carlurches instantly into whatever is in your way. do it right

Answer 2

Heyy what's up. Well first off you have to disconnect your negative wire from the battery, then your positive one and then trace where the starter is by following the positive wire from your battery down to the lower end of your engine, near the flywheel/ transmission. It will either be covered by the transmission shield, or not, if however it is, then you'd just have to slide towards the front of your vehicle and work it down, then disconnect the wiring. Otherwise, it should simply drop down. Also, the bolts are not connected through the transmission, it's simply vertical to the engine block. There should be two-three depending on the engine size. Then simply re-connect the starter's wiring, work the starter back into the transmission and then re-connect the battery wires. The starter however is heavy after a while, may take 2 people, someone to install the starter, and another to work the positive cable. Be sure not to break the small loops though, they are the grounds of the starter, and the car WILL NOT turn over without them. I have tried this myself, and was lucky enough to be able to fix my mess. Hope this helps out. I too have an '81 El Camino but it's a V-6 229ci, 3 speed manual.

Answer 3

The battery cable goes on the big bolt with A 9/16in or 1/2in nut. The purple wire goes on the little 5/16in nut.