Hi,

Having an issue which is almost definitely related to Starter Motor -

(Have searched through threads on this and other forums, and on youtube, can't find exact same issue).

1. Overview of Symptom(s) - Strange noise(s) sometimes, and car does not start.

2. Details of symptoms -

a) Sometimes when turning on car, there is a noise which seems as if either the Starter Motor is not 'rotating' enough, and / or is not fully engaged with Flywheel Teeth (suggesting the Bendix spindle is not getting 'pushed' fully forward enough, or forward quickly enough, for the Starter Motor pinion gear teeth to engage completely with the Flywheel teeth). Slight grinding noise. Perhaps the spring loaded mechanism behind the bendix pinion gear is broken or not working properly?

b) It doesn't happen every time I start the vehicle. Battery is, and sounds, very 'healthy' - Alternator and Battery were checked shortly before fitting new Starter, as part of diagnosis for why vehicle was not starting.

c) Does not seem to happen if engine is 'warm' i.e. recently started.

d) Seems to be worse in cold weather, and especially after car has sat for a few days. Perhaps an indication that something is slightly 'stuck' inside the Starter Motor.

e) When I hear the strange noise, I immediately turn off vehicle (turn key back to position 2). After a couple of seconds, it then starts perfectly when I turn the key again to start it. Again, suggesting that after the vehicle sits for a few days, something within the Starter Motor is 'stuck'.

f) I rarely drive the vehicle - I realize that I may possibly be doing damage to the Flywheel, so I am avoiding driving this vehicle unless I absolutely need to, until this issue is fixed.

3. History -

a) This Starter Motor is a recently fitted remanufactured unit.

b) ACDELCO 336-2067. $64. From RockAuto. Purchased and fitted late August. Returned Core Credit of approx $60. Warranty period is probably 12 month / 12,000 miles. Same unit as this one from Amazon -
c) I fitted the new one myself. Wasn't too bad, after researching on forums and on Youtube (thanks everybody!). A bit awkward to get to some of the bolts, but I do not think that I caused any damage either removing the old unit or refitting the new unit - Did not need to 'force' the Bendix spindle gear wheel or bolts or wiring connector.

d) Both units (old and new) looked EXACTLY the same.

e) Zero grinding or other weird noises from old one - Reason for swapping was because old one immediately died, with no warning signs.

f) Noise did not start to happen immediately. Probably a few weeks, approx. 500 miles, after installation. First time starting vehicle after fitting new Starter was perfect.

4. Other Info -

a) I have no other personal reference or experience with Starter Motor issues. Never swapped one out before. Never had one go bad before.

b) For reference, I found this youtube video very useful to teach me how a starter motor works - It's actually an interesting video - At the beginning the presenter explains that the terms 'cranky' and 'fly off the handle' derived from early motor vehicles, before 'electric' starter motors.

5. My Plan -

a) Check that all bolts are correctly tightened, and the connecting wire harness is connected correctly. Also check the wiring from Starter Motor to Battery.

b) Arrange a replacement Starter Motor through RockAuto, and hope that my issue was just a bad Starter.

6. Questions -

a) Based on my description, what is the likelihood that the issue is ONLY the Starter Motor?

b) What is the possibility that I'm losing teeth on the Flywheel (bad!)

c) How do I inspect and diagnose whether I have a Flywheel issue?

Cheers Everbody! Simon

 

I could be wrong but I believe the flywheel teeth are hardened more than the starter teeth, so damage is probably minor, if any.


My guess, based on the quality of reman'd products on the market in the last few years, is that your have a starter that failed.

 

Price alone of the "rebuilt" starter speaks volumes. We had a builder in our area offering similar sized homes for about 75% of what everyone else was charging. Having been a contractor for 20 years I took a hard look at their quality and ran back to the more expensive builders. Guess which builder is now banned from the development I live in, and the owners of said builder are now looking at lawsuits toward the company for defects.

You get what you pay for....

 

You can get a look at the teeth with an inspection mirror once the starter is removed.

 

Did you ever figure it out? Having the same issue.

 

I swapped out the 'new' Starter Motor, for another new one. It immediately 100% fixed the issue. This was 6 years ago, and zero issues since then.

 

I know it’s been a while, thanks for taking the time to respond to an ancient thread!