starter or flywheel problem?
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Alaska
starter or flywheel problem?
I have a 1997 E-350 with 220,000 mile on it. Last Saturday it would not start. (just click, click, click whenever the key was turned) So I towed it to the mechanic where the starter was replaced with a remanufactured starter from CarQuest.
The Van started fine after that, but the very next day, I got that awful loud screech when I tried to start (like when you turn the key when the engine is running). Sometimes it would do this 4-5 times before starting. It kept doing this occasionally so I took it back and explained the starter must be bad because it never did this before the starter was replaced. Well he put in another CarQuest starter and it is having the same problem... Sometimes starts but sometimes screeches.
So now he says I need a new flywheel.
Why then didn't I have this problem (screeching not starting) with the first starter?
Should I try another starter (Ford Brand) first before replacing the flywheel?
The Van started fine after that, but the very next day, I got that awful loud screech when I tried to start (like when you turn the key when the engine is running). Sometimes it would do this 4-5 times before starting. It kept doing this occasionally so I took it back and explained the starter must be bad because it never did this before the starter was replaced. Well he put in another CarQuest starter and it is having the same problem... Sometimes starts but sometimes screeches.
So now he says I need a new flywheel.
Why then didn't I have this problem (screeching not starting) with the first starter?
Should I try another starter (Ford Brand) first before replacing the flywheel?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Pella, IA
Sounds like somehow the teeth on the flexplate (automatic transmission equivalent of the flywheel) got torn up. Not sure how that would've happened, but if it's the right starter and the teeth on the starter gear are OK, then it just about has to be the flexplate. Not cool when it happens - requires dropping the tranny to replace.
HTH,
Isaac
HTH,
Isaac
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From: Alaska
Well I just about thought the problem went away... the van started normally about 20 times in a row. but then yesterday the screeching and not starting happened again 4 times.
the starter doesn't appear loose, the mounting and bolts are tight. I've ordered a flex plate and a starter from Ford. If the problem continues I'll first try another starter, and if that doesn't fix it I'll take it into the shop and have the flex plate replaced. This is only a $50 part but about six hours of shop time I'm told.
When I get this problem fixed I'll report back here.
the starter doesn't appear loose, the mounting and bolts are tight. I've ordered a flex plate and a starter from Ford. If the problem continues I'll first try another starter, and if that doesn't fix it I'll take it into the shop and have the flex plate replaced. This is only a $50 part but about six hours of shop time I'm told.
When I get this problem fixed I'll report back here.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
my 1999 E150 does the same thing, however, it only happens once in a blue moon. i've also noticed that it will happen more often in very hot weather, which blows my theory 'cause you live in Alaska. because it only happens seldomly, i'm just praying it lasts. i know, i know, i should get it fixed.
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
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From: Alaska
Originally Posted by Stazi64
I know ford does'nt require shims as gm products but this sound like a shim problem. maby the actuator is flying out to far or not far enough.....
equium my 1999 E150 does the same thing, however, it only happens once in a blue moon. i've also noticed that it will happen more often in very hot weather, which blows my theory 'cause you live in Alaska. because it only happens seldomly, i'm just praying it lasts. i know, i know, i should get it fixed.""
Thanks for the suggestions. I put in the third starter (Ford brand this time) myself already. This starter works better then the previous two but it still screeches and won't start about every 10th start.
So for the time being I'm just learning to live with this problem.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Alaska
problem solved
Originally Posted by Mustang 5.0
yank the inspection plate on the tranny and look at the flywheel teeth
I finally got around to having the flexplate replaced last month. there were about 10 teeth missing in one spot.
starts fine now
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