starter problem, grinding sound

[wedge]

I've got a starter problem with my 1.9l
Bit of history first: A mechanic thought the starter wasn't working and so he had it rebuilt. Even though I told him there's nothing wrong with the starter, it was just a minor wiring problem. Which I subsequently fixed.

Now that the starter is freshly rebuilt, there really is a problem! I try to start it, the engine does not crank, but the starter spins fast and it sounds like it's grinding teeth. It's a really horrible sound!
So, I pulled the starter and bench tested it, and it seems to be perfect. I looked at the teeth on the starter and on the flywheel, I see no problems. I put the starter back in the car, and still the same problem.

Any suggestions?


After searching through some old threads, I've heard of something called a Bendix? Not sure what that is, but it sounds like it's the cause of similar problems that other people have had.

[wrench459]

Originally Posted by wedge After searching through some old threads, I've heard of something called a Bendix? Not sure what that is, but it sounds like it's the cause of similar problems that other people have had.

The starter drive/bendix is a simple one way clutch/sprag. It has three rollers inside the toothed end. The better drives has five.
Yes it can make the noise your describing along with a no crank condition.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by wedge I've got a starter problem with my 1.9l Bit of history first: A mechanic thought the starter wasn't working and so he had it rebuilt. Now that the starter is freshly rebuilt, there really is a problem! I try to start it, the engine does not crank, but the starter spins fast and it sounds like it's grinding teeth. It's a really horrible sound! Any suggestions?

Is the battery fully charged and all of the connections are good?
What was your wiring issue that caused the "mechanic" to think that the starter was at fault? And is the "fix" providing enough amps to the starter?

Harold

[wrench459]

How many teeth are on the drive gear? Should be nine.

[wedge]

I'll count the teeth next time I'm at the car.

The wiring problem was that the ground connection for the starter relay had been disconnected. So you press the button and nothing happens, not even a click. I reattached that, and the starter runs again, but isn't engaging the flywheel.
The battery is definately not the problem. It's an optima battery with a full charge. The wiring in the car is completely custom, I ran it all myself. It's not the problem, it all worked 100% perfect before the starter got "rebuilt".

[Opel-GT-72]

You should also check the connections
Battery --> Ground
Motorblock --> Ground (copper rippon right side of the car)
If these connections are not clean the starter will not get enough amps.

[timemachine]

Originally Posted by wedge I try to start it, the engine does not crank, but the starter spins fast and it sounds like it's grinding teeth. It's a really horrible sound! So, I pulled the starter and bench tested it, and it seems to be perfect. I looked at the teeth on the starter and on the flywheel, I see no problems. I put the starter back in the car, and still the same problem. I've heard of something called a Bendix? Not sure what that is, but it sounds like it's the cause of similar problems that other people have had.

It sounds like the pinion gear is not extending fully to engage the flywheel and that is making the racket. You may well have a bad solenoid (the round cylinder on top of the starter motor). When you turn the key, the solenoid should cause a lever to push the the starter pinion gear into the flywheel. (The pinion is normally retracted inside the starter by a Bendix spring inside the solenoid.)

Put the starter on a bench and connect battery cables, the negative to the mounting bracket or starter housing and the positive to the big copper terminal where the battery connects. Touch a screwdriver to short the lower spade lug to the big copper terminal. The motor should spin, but you should also see and hear the pinion gear pop out the back of the starter to where it would meet the flywheel. When you remove the screwdriver, the motor should stop and the pinion gear should snap back forward into the starter.

If the gear doesn't snap out fully or retract fully, rebuild or replace the solenoid.

(I am assuming you have the right starter for this car or that it has worked on this car in the past.)

Jim

[guyopel]

If your starter worked before "rebuild" I would look at the starter clutch fork that has been turned around and now does not allow drive gear to engauge flywheel . HTH
John

[timemachine]

Originally Posted by guyopel If your starter worked before "rebuild" I would look at the starter clutch fork that has been turned around and now does not allow drive gear to engauge flywheel . HTH John

Excellent suggestion John. You'll be able to see whether the pinion runs all the way out when you test it on the bench.

Jim