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Dec 2, 2005 | 10:10 PM

RAMPAGE_F350

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From: Central Alabama

Grinding starter

Hey guys just got my truck back Wednesday with a new fuel pump and I just had it towed back today. The starter is working but seems to be out of alignment with the flywheel. There was a slight (very slight) grind when we left Walmart which gave me a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. So while the little woman went into daycare to get our daughter I shut the truck down so I could restart it, I figured it was just a fluke. It wasn't...remember that sinking feeling? All I got was a grind and no turn over. Can a starter back out (loosen)that quick?! Or is it something else? Monday is a long time to wait for a diagnosis. By the way, it is a humbling feeling seeing your pride-and-joy on a GMC liftback not once but twice in one week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP ME or SHOOT ME.

Dec 2, 2005 | 10:30 PM

BadFord99

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Utah for now

It is possible for the bolts to loosen up on ya, that would be the first thing I would check. If they are all tight, remove the starter and check the bendix gear and the teeth on the flywheel for any damage. If there is no apparent damage to either, you may need to shim the starter, or possibly clean/rebuild the selenoid or starter itself to ensure the bendix gear is engaging properly. Good luck!

Last edited by BadFord99; Dec 2, 2005 at 10:32 PM.

Dec 5, 2005 | 10:17 PM

Miescha

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From: St. Louis, MO

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAMPAGE_F350

By the way, it is a humbling feeling seeing your pride-and-joy on a GMC liftback not once but twice in one week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

Yeah, when my 99 350 had to be towed for a dead starter recently, I specifically requested a Ford (no joke). They sent a 650 with a cummins diesel. It actually looked pretty awesome seeing my CC LB 172" WB truck hanging off the back of the rollback - it barely fit!

I took pictures I was so impressed.

BTW, what did the dealer charge you for the starter and labor? Mine seemed awfully high at $628 out the door.

Dec 6, 2005 | 08:43 AM

RAMPAGE_F350

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From: Central Alabama

Well, after having it towed for a dead fuel pump on a Sunday and got it back Wednesday minus $663.00. Then having it towed two days later on Friday and got it back again yesturday minus $384.00. If you add $45.00 per tow, I'm out $1137.00 three weeks before Christmas I was too pissed to enjoy how my truck looked on the back of a GMC rollback. By the way, a starter bolt backed out and the starter shifted, YOU GUYS CHECK YOUR STARTER BOLTS!!!
Miescha- labor for the starter was $95.00, minus out the starter core ($75.00) the starter was $ 214.00.

Dec 6, 2005 | 01:41 PM

Miescha

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: St. Louis, MO

Rampage, what else did you have done originally that added up to $633? All I had done was the starter and the total was $628, but if I read your post correctly, you only spent about $300 for the starter replacement.

I'll have to look again, but I seem to recall $100 for "middle range diagnostics" plus $100 labor to install the starter, plus nearly $400 for the starter, then add tax and my total was $628. I was out-of-town for the Thanksgiving holiday though and not at my usual dealership, so I didn't really have any time or great ability to shop around (I was advised not to try the starter replacement myself by my father-in-law due to shimming and other fit issues).

Just curious as to how badly I got scr*wed.