grinding sound when starting
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
grinding sound when starting
i hope i picked the right forum for this question. i got a '99 E150 Clubwagon with a 5.4 triton. once in a blue moon, when i turn the ignition to start the van, the starter grinds against the flywheel and make the idenitcal noise heard when trying to start an engine already running. it might do this once, twice, sometimes up to 4 times before actually engaging the flywheel and starting. i would have to say that it happens more often when the weather is warmer.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 788
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From: Hendersonville, TN
Starter is probably on it's way out. It could also be a bad spot on the flywheel. If the flywheel isn't messed up now, it will be if you keep grinding it. A new starter now is cheaper and easier than replacing flywheel/flexplate. Yank it off and drop it at a reputable starter shop and tell them what it's doing. It should be an inexpensive rebuild if you catch it while it's still basically working.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Assuming you have an inspection port in the front of the bell housing, you could open that and turn the engine by hand or have some one bump it while looking at the teeth on the flywheel. Make sure the engine CANNOT start of course, especially if you hand turn it. Removing the plugs makes it way easier to hand turn and even bump it.
Since you may have metal shavings I would get eye protection while looking and use a bright light.
If you see the teeth on the flywheel are chewed up then either the flywheel is doing it or the starter is going bad. I would bet the starter gear is either chewed up or not engaging fully. If the teeth on the flex plate look good then I would suspect the starter not engaging.
BTW, is your starter tightly installed? Sometimes they get loose and can do what you are seeing.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Since you may have metal shavings I would get eye protection while looking and use a bright light.
If you see the teeth on the flywheel are chewed up then either the flywheel is doing it or the starter is going bad. I would bet the starter gear is either chewed up or not engaging fully. If the teeth on the flex plate look good then I would suspect the starter not engaging.
BTW, is your starter tightly installed? Sometimes they get loose and can do what you are seeing.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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vboxingguy
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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