I just bought a 99 f150 about two months ago, But a few weeks ago I was going to start it but this horrifying grinding screeching sound came instead since then I replaced the starter with a rebuilt one and a week later it's happening again. I think the flywheel is chipped but I think that there is a slight possibility that the starter is a dud.

Any info at this point would help.

P.S. the vehicle is still under powertrain warranty (does not cover starter)

Thanks.

 

Your new starter could be having problems engaging, you should check to make sure that all of the connections to the starter are clean and tight to ensure you are getting full current to it. The other thing you can do is pull the starter and shine a light in at the flywheel. Turn the engine manually all the way around. You can mark the flywheel with a yellow crayon. Look for a place where the teeth are worn from the starter not engaging completely. If this is present you will need to replace it. If not you need to take another look at the starter.

 

It turned out to be the flywheel. The teeth were chipped badly in only one area about two and a half inches wide. so I had it replaced Immediately. Thanks for your input.

 

Sorry to hear that you had to go through that, but at least you found out what the problem was. One of the things to be careful of, is that if the starter ever fails even once, check it out so that it will not ruin another flywheel. Good Luck!

 

Hey guys,

My 98 4.2 has some starter issues as well. At about 75000 km, the starter went, but i got a new one under warentee, but they claim that my ring gear is shipped up so bad that it is going to cause this new starter i had installed to fail again. well its been 30000km later and nothing has happened..i think its just some dumb ford mechanics we have around here

 

Cheapfeel.....you can check it yourself by doing the same thing I mentioned up above. Usually the ring gear or flywheel will scar in a short place. If your engine does not stop on that place you will not notice the problem for a while. The surest way to know is to get under there and look at it. Then you will know for sure. Hope you are right and there is no need to do more, but I would want to know before I got caught in some snow storm somewhere with a truck I couldn't get started. Good luck!!