So I go out to start my truck and it won't start...
 

Starter clicks.

So I get down in there and jump the terminals on the starter

It still just clicks.

So I'm thinking the starter is toast, but of course nobody stocks them around here...and of course there's not a single other truck to pull start me anywhere around.

GRRRR!

Also, the starter bolts look weird...what's up with that? I tried multiple wrenches and couldn't get it. Maybe a 10mm?

Try beating on the starter with a hammer...might get it to work for a time?

Yeah, I tried that too...guess I should have mentioned it.

Thanks, though!

You need a 12pt socket for that bolt. Good luck!

dont hit a starter with a hammer. have you checked the connections on your battery?

Might be frozen ? my sons jeep starter was frozen this morning

So here's the state of the union:

My wife is awesome. The fact I put a trailer hitch on her Equinox to pull our boat is awesome. The fact that one of my Home Depot Camo Ratcheting Straps was enough to pull-start my truck is awesome.

After I got home I read the above post about the battery terminals. I did check those briefly in the parking lot at work, but I pulled them and checked them real close and they're in excellent shape. Thanks for the suggestion, though. In the 'heat of the moment' it took me a while to even think through the issue...

I called a local auto parts store and they have 'USA' brand refurbed starters for $180 and they can have it in their shop @ 8:30 tomorrow morning, which is awesome, too. I think I'll pull it at home, have the wife pull start me again, pick it up on the way to work and then swap it out after work tomorrow in the parking lot. :)

PS - Anyone know off-hand the size of the bolts for the starter? Also, are their 2 or 3? Lol

I mean, I can find out easy enough, but it's going to be in the teens tomorrow AM and it's pretty much going to suck to work outside. ;)

The bendix may be engaged and stuck, try barring the engine over a little and see if it jumps back out.

usually the starter just needs Larry B's super contacts.

The bolts are 12 point so you need to use the round end of the combination wrench or a 12 point socket.

Bring the 12pt sockets, extensions, and a universal if you got them. If I remember, one of those bolts are kind of tricky... and the starter is HEAVY even for an able fellow to hold at that awkward angle when putting the new one back in. I think there are 3 bolts. Good luck

BTW, rebuilding a starter can be as cheap as $40-$80 at an alternator/starter shop.

Sometimes time is worth more than money, I guess. I needs the truck to get to work! ;)

Bencie, I drove the truck for about 30 minutes and still no go.

So 12 pt 10mm? 11? :) Milkin' it for all I can!

They're 12-point( dual hexagon ), 10 mm heads on the starter. They're grade-8 equivalent and be sure you've got them started correctly before you go twisting on them; the adapter plate is quite easy to rip the threads out of. There are indeed three ov them.

The solenoid wire is 8mm and the main terminal is a 17mm nut. You should consider getting a channel lock pliers to counterhold; on mine the whole thing wanted to spin when I tried to remove the big nut.
cheers,
Douglas