text: solenoid or starter? i am about to replace the starter of a 1988 chevy cavalier.  how can i tell if it is the solenoid or the starter? chevy starters have the solenoid built into the starter itself- located on the back of the bendix drive- replacing the whole starter is recommended - this will cure your issue. your starter if i remember right sits under the exhaust manifold in the front of the engine and gets extreme heat from the exhaust and will dry out the solenoid and bendix along with the rest of the starter.