harleywicket

Hello,

I'm having problems with my starter. I changed it twice, the first time with a rebuilt starter from autozone (my husband changed it) and the second time with a new starter from autozone (the garage changed it). It makes a lound nosie an will not engage sometimes. When we installed the first rebuilt starter it lasted about 3 months, now I had the garage do it and it has started to act up in only a week. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks so much

TheJMC

When you turn the key to start does the starter spin but doesn't turn the engine over? Does it just click? Does it turn the engine over slowly?

bobkyle2

Sounds like the flywheel has a bad spot... also i would not trust autozone starters...

harleywicket

The starter does spin and it doesn't click it more like screeches or grinds. the engine turns over fine when it starts. I'm thinking that it's the fly wheel also after researching on the internet. Why not autozone starters? Where should I buy? We have a car quest, what's the difference?


Thanks for your help.

bobkyle2

i have a local place that rebuild any of my altenators or starters... they use alot better quality parts... and they last forever.. the autozone ones have very cheap parts and there is no quality in them putting them together .. (im talking about the reman ones)... the actual new starters they sell might actually be good....

But your problem sounds like a bad flywheel... or maybe the bolts are messed up and not letting them tighten completly .. also check for cracks where it bolts on ... check flywheel for teeth missing on the flywheel ring..

TheJMC

It sounds (pun) like the gear is not engaging the flywheel completely. There may be teeth missing on the flexplate. The only way to be sure about the teeth is to remove t he starter and turn the engine by hand while examining the teeth on the flexplate. A dab of paint on the flexplate will insure you inspect all the teeth because you can stop when you see the dab of paint come back around again. You do have 3 bolts holding the starter to the bellhousing, right?

bkaufmann

yup, sounds exactly like the pinion gear isnt catching with the flywheel

have you ever tried to start your car and its already on?
if so does it make that same exact grinding noise?