intermitten starting problem - Broken starter ring gear teeth?
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Lead Driver
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From: Calgary Canada
intermitten starting problem - Broken starter ring gear teeth?
On my 2000 Expy, I've having a very occasional starting issue. Probably only happens once in twenty times.
When I turn the key, it makes a very loud noise, which I'm pretty sure is the starter turning and just failing to engage the ring gear properly. Can't really describe the noise.
Often it will do this once or twice and then start normally. Sometimes it take more tries.
Doesn't appear to be any correlation to temperature, or how long its' been sitting.
I'm 90% certain it's the starter pinion gear failing to engage the ring gear, probably due to a small number of broken teeth on the ring gear. Only happens once in a while due to the fact that most of the teeth are still fine.
So, questions:
1) does my diagnosis sound reasonable?
2) how hard is it to replace the starter ring gear?
tia.
When I turn the key, it makes a very loud noise, which I'm pretty sure is the starter turning and just failing to engage the ring gear properly. Can't really describe the noise.
Often it will do this once or twice and then start normally. Sometimes it take more tries.
Doesn't appear to be any correlation to temperature, or how long its' been sitting.
I'm 90% certain it's the starter pinion gear failing to engage the ring gear, probably due to a small number of broken teeth on the ring gear. Only happens once in a while due to the fact that most of the teeth are still fine.
So, questions:
1) does my diagnosis sound reasonable?
2) how hard is it to replace the starter ring gear?
tia.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 336
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I'm going to guess it's not the ring gear, but the starter pinion-spring is worn out, or gummed up internally. Generally speaking, when this kind of thing happens, basically the starter spins but the pinion doesn't ride up the shaft and engage the starter ring, causing a screeching noise. The pinion and ring are chamfer-cut and made of hardened steel, so throwing a tooth is a damn good trick.
If you have pulled the starter, make sure the pinion slides EASILY up and down on the pinion shaft. If you can, hook it to another battery OUTSIDE of the vehicle, and see if it works properly.
If you are in the northeast, or anywhere there is salt, this pinion jamming can be common. We actually see it on jetski's all the time becuase of the marine environment as well.
If you have pulled the starter, make sure the pinion slides EASILY up and down on the pinion shaft. If you can, hook it to another battery OUTSIDE of the vehicle, and see if it works properly.
If you are in the northeast, or anywhere there is salt, this pinion jamming can be common. We actually see it on jetski's all the time becuase of the marine environment as well.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Calgary Canada
Definitely not a squeal. Pretty much like Kailor described it, sounds like the noise that happens when you try to start a vehicle that's already running.
Guess you could call it a grinding, but it's very high frequency. Over the years, I've heard just about every kind of noise that an engine can make while not starting, and this is pretty unique.
Guess you could call it a grinding, but it's very high frequency. Over the years, I've heard just about every kind of noise that an engine can make while not starting, and this is pretty unique.
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yeah, that's the sound of the starter pinion not fully engaging. 99% of the time, the starter either needs to be replaced, or at least the pinion needs to be rebuilt. Trust me, helluva lot easier than replacing the flywheel.
There's a spring mechanism on the inside of the pinion that corrodes and causes this issue. My money is that is the issue.
There's a spring mechanism on the inside of the pinion that corrodes and causes this issue. My money is that is the issue.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Chesapeake, Va.
yeah, that's the sound of the starter pinion not fully engaging. 99% of the time, the starter either needs to be replaced, or at least the pinion needs to be rebuilt. Trust me, helluva lot easier than replacing the flywheel.
There's a spring mechanism on the inside of the pinion that corrodes and causes this issue. My money is that is the issue.
There's a spring mechanism on the inside of the pinion that corrodes and causes this issue. My money is that is the issue.
When you get the starter out you should also turn the engine over by hand and inspect the ring gear teeth. Use a file and remove any burrs you might find.
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I am currently experiencing the same problem. The difference is I had it repaired about 2 months ago and it's happening again. This time it is relatively worst. The mechanic who did the previous repair stated at that time if it happened again then it's the flywheel.
Does anyone know the symptoms for a bad flywheel?
Does anyone know the symptoms for a bad flywheel?
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