Where is the starter solenoid and starter?

Answer 1

Location of Starter Solenoids and StartersIt depends on the year, make, and model of the vehicle.

For only one example, on my 1989 and 1993 Ford F-150 pickup trucks the starter solenoids are located on the right front inner fender less than a foot behind the battery, and the starters are located at the right rear of the engine with the "nose" of the starter inserted into the front of the flywheel housing which is attached to the rear end of the engine.

It's been years since I worked on GM products, but in the "old" days GM starter solenoids were mounted right on top of the starter.

Comment added 5-22-2010 While many people refer to the part near the battery as the "solenoid", this is actually the starter relay. The solenoid is mounted to the starter and provides mechanical movement to engage the starter gear. Most starter solenoids incorporate a set of contacts to apply current to the starter motor after the solenoid engages the starter gear. In this way, it too acts as a relay. In most systems, the key switch activates the starter relay, and the starter relay in turn activates the starter solenoid which engages the starter and activates the starter motor. I hope this clears some widespread confusion.