How to check for missing teeth on the 4R100 flexplate
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
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From: Gulf Coast of Florida
How to check for missing teeth on the 4R100 flexplate
I'm having a problem with my starter not engaging the flexplate. I turn the key and the starter spins every time, but I just get a "whiiiizzzzzz!!!". I think it's the starter having the issue because I get no grinding at all. Not once. Sometimes (rarely) the next turn of the key it will catch and she fires, but this russian roulette for starting doesn't work for me.
I know there is a large(ish) cover under the bottom front of the transmission, but will that let me see the flexplate when it is removed? And how do I go about inspecting the entire outer edge of the flexplate while I'm down there?
I know there is a large(ish) cover under the bottom front of the transmission, but will that let me see the flexplate when it is removed? And how do I go about inspecting the entire outer edge of the flexplate while I'm down there?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,667
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From: Glen Rose,Texas
The flywheel teeth can be seen after you pull the dust cover off.One section of it will be seen.You will have to bump the starter to see the other areas of it.May need a helper or fix you a jumper switch.
To remove the cover you will need a 10mm socket(I think) and an extension.Remove the bolts and it will come down.I have had mine off several times checking the flywheel teeth and the rear main oil leak I have
Good luck!
To remove the cover you will need a 10mm socket(I think) and an extension.Remove the bolts and it will come down.I have had mine off several times checking the flywheel teeth and the rear main oil leak I have
Good luck!
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Without somehow disabling the engine, this may actually cause the engine to start with you under the truck. You could pull the IDM relay to do that, but as it is, your starter doesn't seem to want to turn it, anyway.
They make a special wrench for this purpose, but it might take some real heft to use it on a diesel engine.
I'd just take a big 'ol screwdriver, or small pry bar, and manually pinch it around, one gear at a time. It's how I bring my converter plug into alignment at the bottom to drain it. It takes some time, but who said these things are "easy"?
Mark it with chalk to know when you've gone 360.
It sounds like it's the starter not throwing the pinion gear out into the flywheel, so it's most likely the starter. All it may need is some lubricant on the solenoid mechanism that does that.
Pop
They make a special wrench for this purpose, but it might take some real heft to use it on a diesel engine.
I'd just take a big 'ol screwdriver, or small pry bar, and manually pinch it around, one gear at a time. It's how I bring my converter plug into alignment at the bottom to drain it. It takes some time, but who said these things are "easy"?
Mark it with chalk to know when you've gone 360.
It sounds like it's the starter not throwing the pinion gear out into the flywheel, so it's most likely the starter. All it may need is some lubricant on the solenoid mechanism that does that.
Pop
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Glen Rose,Texas
Good point Pop.I was just thinking on mine it takes a few revolutions to crank up that he could just bump it around but his may start faster.Not like an old gas where you can pull a coil and it won't start.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,845
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From: No.Va.
Agree w/ POP ,starter bendix not moving out will give the exact sound you describe.
Also you can use a ratchet and socket to turn the crank pulley.
Next time it "wizzzzes",turn the engine manually (1/4 turn or so) and see if it grabs.
This will put a different part of the flywheel in front of the starter.
Also you can use a ratchet and socket to turn the crank pulley.
Next time it "wizzzzes",turn the engine manually (1/4 turn or so) and see if it grabs.
This will put a different part of the flywheel in front of the starter.
Thread Starter
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
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From: Gulf Coast of Florida
By the way, this starter is only 2 months old. A warranty replacement for one originally bought back in February 2009. And I got rid of my original starter too. Kinda sucks. It's a DB Electrical stock replacement unit. I'm wondering if going up to the High Torque unit would be worth it.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 399
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From: Draper, Utah
X3 for the starter. if the bendix wont go out then the starter just spins without making contact. If you were missing teeth in the flex plate it wouldn't matter how many times you cycle the key it wouldn't start unless you manually moved the flexplate around to a spot with teeth.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: No.Va.
I don't have a big breaker bar and socket to actually turn the engine 1/4 turn but may need to look in to it.
(IIRC you gotta go backwards or you will loosen the belt by going against the tensioner)
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Thread Starter
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
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From: Gulf Coast of Florida
I know that at best it slightly "bumps" the engine, but I've had to do it, and it's worked... so far. 
I may have to try this as well. thanks!!
I may have to try this as well. thanks!!
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Buffalo, NY
1/2" drive Ratchet and big socket on the front crank pulley does the trick for sure. I forget what size that front nut was. 22/30mm ?
I don't think you missing teeth either. Got to be the starter.
I don't think you missing teeth either. Got to be the starter.
Thread Starter
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast of Florida
I'm 90% certain it's the starter too, but how to fix it other than replacement? Any ideas?
Thread Starter
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Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
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From: Gulf Coast of Florida
No broken teeth, although a few showed signs of recent grinding... or maybe just not being caught ideally...
I loosened up the mounting bolts for the starter (17mm) and pushed/twisted it so that it was a little further away from the center of the flexplate. I'm not sure that was an issue, but it's free to try!
Oh, and the inspection cover bolts take a 3/8" socket, not a 10mm - just an FYI Barry!
I loosened up the mounting bolts for the starter (17mm) and pushed/twisted it so that it was a little further away from the center of the flexplate. I'm not sure that was an issue, but it's free to try!
Oh, and the inspection cover bolts take a 3/8" socket, not a 10mm - just an FYI Barry!
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