Hello there just joined this forum as there are next to no videos/write ups on duramax vans,

I bought a former ambulance 2009 g3500 6.6l and which suddenly quit starting on me. I'm having a hell of a time finding the starter on it. I'm told access via the passenger front wheel well but I removed the wheel + plastic guard as instructed and don't see it in any angle I can get at.

When it says remove wheel guard, are you supposed to be able to move the entire big metal guard, such that I'd be able to get at a way larger part of the side engine? Or merely the un-clippable plastic portion at the top? The larger metal portion of the wheel well appears to be welded to the frame.

Might someone also know where the starter relay is located so i can try jumpering it directly that way without getting at the starter terminals?

Or any other common pitfalls to verify before I conclude it's the starter...

 

Here's what I can see from various angles at teh wheel well:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/...2016.33.30.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/jjglsz4xh2w...2016.33.23.jpg

And the beast itself:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/6vh0zofx3us...2019.28.42.jpg

 

Could be designed similar the a suburban I recently worked on. Had to remove the splash guard then mounting bolts. After mounting bolts are removed, there is just enough room to slip a wrench in and work the starter back and forth with other hand to remove the ground strap. This allows enough play to back out the starter and hold in hand under vehicle to remove the live feed. Crawl under and look for starter (large cylinder shape on passenger side near transmission shield, rear of motor) before working to get idea of how to access. Could be much different for something larger, might be same general design.

 

Can you trace the (+) battery cable? That may lead you to the general area of the starter.