Sounds like a hell of a problem all I know is that on my 96 4x4 blazer the check engine light is on and it reads back codes for the MAF, Crankshaft positioning sensor, and one other thing but I can't remember off the top of my head....anyway even with all these codes popping off the Blazer runs just fine.......So I don't know if that would be your problem or not but mine fires right up and idles fine.....

 

Ok, I'm trying to get the starter out, and there's jsut not enough clearance. Do I need to loosen mounts and jack the motor up slightly? I also read something somewhere about removing the bellhousing, but I've never heard of having to do any of that before. I have the wires loose from the little clip on the frame, but I just can't quite get the starter to drop down, no matter which angle I try.

 

It takes patience. I have had a few where I have had to jack the motor up, but most can be removed by just finding the right angle.

 

Once the wires are off you will have to spend quite some time turning the starter different ways and trying different angles in order to get it out. There is no easy way on this truck to get the starter out of it's place.

The replacement starters on the other hand are shorter and slightly thinner and go in and out very easily.

 

I have had to do the starter on my 96 2 times in 2 years....Quality autozone parts right....anyway just like many of the other people have said on this thread the starter needs to come out at just the right angle in order to clear all the crap that's under there....Putting it back in is just as fun too.....