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The other day my truck died. Turns out it was the starter. It was locked. I tried banging it, it worked for me with other vehicles in the past. But this time, no luck. Hired a tow truck, cost me 550 to tow 15miles because it's a uhaul/commercial vehicle.
When the truck was dropped off, iI tried once more, turned the key and it started no problem. So I'm out 550, whatever I had no choice.
Next morning my brother replaces the starter. It worked. And now, 1 week later, it sometimes like an automated bb gun hitting a tin can. I turn the key back, try again, it starts no problem.
But it's still am ongoing problem and I don't know what kind of damage this is doing.
I should note that because my truck sat for 3 or 4 years, when I got it back 6 months ago, the ignition gets stuck sometimes due to the grease. So it's like turning it and holding it. Damaging the started I'm sure.
Anyone know why it sounds like this sometimes? Not the turning and holding sound. But the turning and bb bullets hitting a tin can sound.
Last edited by Resendiz; Oct 3, 2015 at 01:31 PM.
Reason: Updated.
What kind of starter is it and where did you get it from?
I had a similar issue when I replaced my starter and it would make a noise like you described and then I'd try again and it would start. I pulled the starter and tested it and sure enough, the gear on the starter wasn't coming out and was just spinning in place.
Took it back to O'reilly auto parts and they gave me a new one. I kid you not, less than two weeks later I was having the same issue. I decided to give it one last chance and took it back and got another replacement after an argument with the store manager. Anyway, this third one has been fine so far, but my point is that it seems like there may be a quality issue with starters from the big chain stores.
The other day my truck died. Turns out it was the starter. It was locked. I tried banging it, it worked for me with other vehicles in the past. But this time, no luck. Hired a tow truck, cost me 550 to tow 15miles because it's a uhaul/commercial vehicle.
When the truck was dropped off, iI tried once more, turned the key and it started no problem. So I'm out 550, whatever I had no choice.
Next morning my brother replaces the starter. It worked. And now, 1 week later, it sometimes like an automated bb gun hitting a tin can. I turn the key back, try again, it starts no problem.
But it's still am ongoing problem and I don't know what kind of damage this is doing.
I should note that because my truck sat for 3 or 4 years, when I got it back 6 months ago, the ignition gets stuck sometimes due to the grease. So it's like turning it and holding it. Damaging the started I'm sure.
Anyone know why it sounds like this sometimes? Not the turning and holding sound. But the turning and bb bullets hitting a tin can sound.
Engines don't die because of the starter. Do you mean it wouldn't START/turn over, or that the engine was running and then it stopped running?
Typically, like the other poster said, when a starter makes that noise it's because the plunger/solenoid that engages the starter gear to the flywheel is not getting enough current to extend fully.
This could be a bad starter from the store; OR it could be your starting circuit having too much resistance.
Engines don't die because of the starter. Do you mean it wouldn't START/turn over, or that the engine was running and then it stopped running?
Typically, like the other poster said, when a starter makes that noise it's because the plunger/solenoid that engages the starter gear to the flywheel is not getting enough current to extend fully.
This could be a bad starter from the store; OR it could be your starting circuit having too much resistance.
I thought it would be something like this. It doesn't catch. Ok. I'll return it/replace it
The fast "bb gun" could be the starter solenoid on the passenger fender it usually does that when there is low voltage to it. That can be caused by low batteries, bad cables, bad terminals, loose terminals, excess corrosion.
quality control is a definite issue. we're on our 3rd o'reilly starter, which is fine so far. periodically, we clean all the terminals and connections, top and bottom, and that seems to help keep things going.
quality control is a definite issue. we're on our 3rd o'reilly starter, which is fine so far. periodically, we clean all the terminals and connections, top and bottom, and that seems to help keep things going.
The remans from oreilly are truly terrible. I went through 3 in a month, fourth one is doing fine so far (three months)
My buddy recommended napa for the future, when they decide not to warranty it eventually i will get a refund and buy one there.
I finally had time to replace the starter. It was getting worse hard to catch the gear now. This is what the 2 week old starter did to the tranny/flywheel.
How bad is this? The new one is working fine so far. But how much damage did the "old" starter cause the truck?
