Odd Starter Problem When Hot
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Joined: Sep 2001
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Odd Starter Problem When Hot
Hi, I usually don't post threads in this forum, but a friend of mine has a SuperDuty with a problem.
His truck has the 7.3 Powerstroke. The issue it has is that sometimes when its hot and it sits a short time before restarting the starter makes a grinding noise before it engages. The only thing I could think of was to tell him to make sure the bolts are not coming loose. Does anyone have any thoughts?
His truck has the 7.3 Powerstroke. The issue it has is that sometimes when its hot and it sits a short time before restarting the starter makes a grinding noise before it engages. The only thing I could think of was to tell him to make sure the bolts are not coming loose. Does anyone have any thoughts?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
Could just need a new starter. Depending on the age and use of the truck, the bendix in the starter gets worn and doesn't react as well when the key is turned. Heat tends to put alot of wear on parts and weaken some. The starter is right against the engine so it gets alot of abuse. Just have him replace it.
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Well, My friend got a new Motorcraft starter the other day. It worked perfect until today. The same problem is still and issue when the truck is warm. Does anyone have any idea what might be going on?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
What did the teeth of the old starter gear look like? Maybe he's got some damage teeth on the flywheel that cause the grinding at certain times, and he's just thinking heat has something to do with it.
The only other thing I can think of to check would be the fender mounted starter relay solenoid. Maybe there's a voltage drop when it gets got that doesn't give the starter enough juice to kick out all the way before it starts spinning.
The only other thing I can think of to check would be the fender mounted starter relay solenoid. Maybe there's a voltage drop when it gets got that doesn't give the starter enough juice to kick out all the way before it starts spinning.
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Thanks for the input.
I was thinking the same thing about the starter solenoid. Does his 2002 SuperDuty have one?
The old starter gear didn't look real bad. It looked like it had a little wear/rubbing on it.
I was thinking the same thing about the starter solenoid. Does his 2002 SuperDuty have one?
The old starter gear didn't look real bad. It looked like it had a little wear/rubbing on it.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: muskegon mi.
I am betting on a bad spot in the flex plate/flywheel just went thru this with mine changed stater and three days later hit bad spot and ground to a start. didnt hurt new stater got the hole thing fixed 540$ parts and labor. dosnt take much wear to lose grip
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Post Fiend
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From: Texas
No. They didn't put the fender mounted one on the 02's. They just have the standard solenoid mounted directly on the starter.
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Thats what I thought about the solenoid. Well, this is the second new starter. The other one was about 6 months old. This problem just started a few months ago and has occured maybe a dozen times. That leads me to believe that it is the fly wheel. If it is from damaged teeth on the flywheel, wouldn't it do it warm or cold. It only happens when its warm.
I forgot to mention this before. I think the truck has about 100K miles on it. It also has new batteries. He says the grinding noise sounds like when someone tries to start a car that is already running.
Is there anything else that could potentially cause this?
I forgot to mention this before. I think the truck has about 100K miles on it. It also has new batteries. He says the grinding noise sounds like when someone tries to start a car that is already running.
Is there anything else that could potentially cause this?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Typically damage to the flywheel is caused by a starter grinding when it starts going out. If someone ignores the grinding and puts off changing the starter, the damage can occur. That's why I asked what the teeth on the old starter looked like.
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I think it is probably the flywheel as well.
I don't really know the condition of the original starter, just the second one and the new one.
Any idea why it only happens when the truck is warm though.
I don't really know the condition of the original starter, just the second one and the new one.
Any idea why it only happens when the truck is warm though.
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Did you have this done at a local shop or dealer? Also, how many days was your truck out of comission?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Millersville, MD
....and I'll bet it was a "rebuilt" starter, not new. I'd say remove the starter...look at the theeth on the flywheel thru the hole that the starter came from....but that flywheel has REALLY hard steel. I can remember going thru 5 "new", but rebuilt starters on an old Olsmobile before we hit a "good" one!!