So I ran down a wet road with slush "as usual". As I got home at dusk it got cold "kinda quickly".

Next morning my starter wouldn't turn. I look under and IT'S ICED. No splash guard installed on 2001 Silverado.

I used a heat gun (hair dryer) a while and it started after that.

I see no practical way to put a splash guard on (all components nearby are iron or frame members you can't screw into or can't get a rope around) ... likely why GM decided to skip class on this issue.

 

some gm trucks i have seen use a heat shield that has a clip that clamps over the starter solenoid.