Starter issue
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Puna, Big Island, Hawaii
Starter issue
This doesn't happen every time, but is more often. When I turn the key to start, the starter will grind against the flywheel, not engaging it, and sometime up to three attempts before the starter engages and turn the engine over to start. The batteries are new and starter turns fast. I've even tried another new starter and another starter solenoid (this is the one on the inside of the right fender). Still will grind. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Puna, Big Island, Hawaii
When I changed the starter, I looked at the flywheel and did see where grinding has occurred, the face of the teeth on the front of the flywheel were shiny. All teeth were there and it was only in this one area, like the engine stops at this point. On either side the starter hole the teeth face did not show any signs of grinding. I did not drop the cover to check more of the flywheel (I guess I should), only what I could see through the starter hole.
It's like the starter motor is spinning before the gear has a chance to move into position.
It's like the starter motor is spinning before the gear has a chance to move into position.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Puna, Big Island, Hawaii
I've pulled the cover and looked at the flywheel. Had the wife bump the starter to rotate the flywheel. Again the grinding happened the first three times, than fine after that. Saw shavings come out as the grinding occurred. There are at least three spots where the grinding has occurred. All the teeth are there. The tops are all there. One of the spots the teeth face are worn in up to an 1/8". (I use the truck for work and it shut down and started again several times a day) Isn't the starter gear suppose to engage to flywheel before the motor turns the gear? It looks like some of the time the motor is spinning the gear first, or at least at the same time as it trying to engage the flywheel.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Puna, Big Island, Hawaii
Could the ignition switch have something to do with this? I've been making sure to turn it hard and fully and haven't had it grind as yet (knock on wood).
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Plankinton, SD
Ignition switch won't have anything to do with it. You found your problem. Shavings coming out when it wouldn't crank, and some worn teeth, your flexplate needs replaced. It doesn't do it all the time because it only does it when the starter gear lines up with the bad spots. When its on the good spots, it works fine.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2010
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By the way, if that turns out to be the issue, please post pictures of the mangled teeth. Hell, even if it's not the issue, I always enjoy seeing carnage.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,097
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From: western SD
I'm more inclined to think that the metal ***** in the starter drive are slightly gumed up and are sticking letting the gear spin on the starter instead of locking the gear in place, to turn the motor. The OP stated it takes 3 time trying to start it before the starter will turn the engine over, so the starter gear is hitting the same place on the flexplate. My thinking is if the teeth on the flex plate are bad, you would have to turn the motor over just a little so the starter gear would engauge the FP in a different spot. Does this make sense, or am I all wet?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,408
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From: Plankinton, SD
I hear what you're saying Tom, but in my experiences even on worn teeth it will make enough contact and work SOMETIMES. 2 starters have been tried with the same results. I wish it were something easier, but I don't think it is.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: western SD
You are probably right Darin, I missed the part where he said he had changed starters. My reasoning was from changing out starters on my brothers Super Duty. The old one was tired so a new one went in. The "new " one went in and worked for a day then the "new" one would just grind. It went back to NAPA as a defective and another was installed, and it has been working for some time. It seem that even new parts is a crap shoot these days.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Madison, WI
Hmm, since it's happened to two starters, maybe there's something about the _position_ of the starter. Maybe something going on with the adapter or plate or whatever you call it that the starter bolts to, that is positioning the starter such that the gear doesn't extend far enough to engage the flywheel ring gear when it kicks in.
Or could the flywheel / ring gear be out of position somehow? Set too far back?
Is this an automatic or a manual truck?
Or could the flywheel / ring gear be out of position somehow? Set too far back?
Is this an automatic or a manual truck?