03 Silverado - Can't Get Starter Off!

[cthamp]

I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado 4.8 4WD (Z71). I went out yesterday to start her up and got nothing . The past couple of days, this happened twice. Everything comes on, windows work, battery gauge shows it has a charge, but nothing happens when I turn the key. Not even a click. So I decided to pull the starter and run it down to the local parts store to have it checked. Never got that far. I removed the heat shield from the solenoid and pull the starter mounting bolts, as well as the bell housing bolt right below the starter, but I can't get the starter to move forward enough to clear the transmission to come down. Is there a trick to this or is there anything else I need to remove?? My Haynes book says I also need to remove the oil level sensor, but it is not in the way (at least not yet) so I haven't removed it yet. Any advice?? Thanks!

[txab]

# Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection .

# Remove the engine oil level indicator tube fasteners and position aside. Refer to Oil Level Indicator and Tube Replacement .

# Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .

# Remove the right transmission cover bolt.

 

 

# Remove the starter bolts.

# Disconnect the oil level sensor electrical connector.

# Slide the starter forward until the starter clears the transmission.

 

# Remove the starter solenoid nut (3).

# Remove the starter lead (2) from the solenoid stud.

 

# Remove the starter lead nut.

# Remove the positive cable from the starter stud.

# Place the starter on a workbench.

 

# Unsnap the transmission cover from the starter.

[cthamp]

Thanks txab, I will give it a go this afternoon and let you know how it went.

[cthamp]

That did it txab! I pulled the spark plug wire (#6 I think, it was the 3rd one back on the passenger side) disconnected the engine oil dipstick support and rocked it toward the front of the engine. That gave me the extra 1/4 inch I needed to slide starter forward and drop it down. This has been one of the most difficult starters I have ever replaced, poor design in my opinion. Hope this helps others. Thanks again!