So I have read almost every thread I could find on starting, cranking, and ignition issues till I royal confused my self lol. I have a 1995 S10 Blazer that has been having issues with the starter. It would start and run but upon starting then first try would turn over the engine about a second then the starter would just spin, next 2 or 3 tries the starter would spin and not engage the flywheel then usually the 4th or 5th time it would crank and fire up. I knew it would have to be replaced. yesterday morning it was -20 out and took about 20 minutes of cranking and spinning the starter to finally get the car started. Battery was at 13 volts and the starter seemed kind of sluggish cranking when it did engage. Get off work to go start the blazer and nothing. Turn the key on gauges all come on but the solenoid doesn't even make an attempt to do anything no click or anything. Couldn't see the headlights due to the sun but the radio would go blank every time you tried to turn the key and the battery gauge didn't move. So I left the key in the run position stuck a screwdriver across the starter solenoid and got sparks but nothing out of it. So My thoughts are is it needs a starter but after reading all these threads I'm wondering if the problem could be else where?

 

Needs a starter drive and possibly a battery or loose connection. The drive unit in the starter is worn out, it can be serviced separately, but there are probably other parts that are worn as well... might as well replace the entire starter. Check both ends of all battery cables, (take them apart to check them) clean and tighten as necessary.