Starter Noise

My 2001 Venture van recently blew a head gasket. At one point when I was trying to start it the motor "kicked back." Ever since that happened my starter has been making a weird noise. When I first engage it it doesn't do it, but as the engine starts I hear a "metallic rattling" noise. It doesn't really sound like gears grinding, ie the when you try to start the car with it already running sound. As soon as you let off it goes away.

I'm concerned now that my starter is going bad. I'm also concerned that it's chewing up the flywheel and heaven knows I don't want to have to replace that!!

Any ideas?



Thanks,

Gary

My 2001 Venture van recently blew a head gasket. At one point when I was trying to start it the motor "kicked back." Ever since that happened my starter has been making a weird noise. When I first engage it it doesn't do it, but as the engine starts I hear a "metallic rattling" noise. It doesn't really sound like gears grinding, ie the when you try to start the car with it already running sound. As soon as you let off it goes away.

I'm concerned now that my starter is going bad. I'm also concerned that it's chewing up the flywheel and heaven knows I don't want to have to replace that!!

Any ideas?



Thanks,

Gary



Your best bet will be to pull the starter off the vehicle and inspect it. At this point you will also be able to see the teeth of the flywheel. If you turn the bolt on the end of the Crankshaft pully this will turn the flywheel allowing you to inspect all the teeth (this is easier with 2 people). If the teeth are damaged on the flywheel get ready to pull your tranny!

I am planning on pulling the starter tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything specific that I need to be aware of? I've replaced starters on older vehicles so I'm familiar with the procedure. Are there any special hints/tips applicable to my Venture?

I am planning on pulling the starter tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything specific that I need to be aware of? I've replaced starters on older vehicles so I'm familiar with the procedure. Are there any special hints/tips applicable to my Venture?

No, its pretty straight forward.

Take off the flywheel cover, 2 bolts that hold the starter, there are 2 studs on the back of the starter which hold the electric wires. One larger than the other, a total of 4 wires go on the larger stud and a total of 1 wire goes on the smaller stud. You can see this becuase the connectors are different sizes.

Thanks!! I got it off earlier this afternoon. Of course when I tested it with jumper cables it didn't make any noise! I did find a crack around one of the mounting bolts. It's up at the rebuilders now.

Well, I replaced the starter and the new is also chattering. I tried shimming it with a 1/16" shim, but it's still making noise.

Any suggestions on what else to check? Should I try more shims?

Well, I replaced the starter and the new is also chattering. I tried shimming it with a 1/16" shim, but it's still making noise.

Any suggestions on what else to check? Should I try more shims?


You shouldn't have to add any shims....I'd be curious to see if a different starter made the same noise. It could be that the shaft with the gear on the starter is bent. Thats just a guess though. If it was me I'd go get a used starter and try that. Without seeing it thats all I can think of.

Good luck!

You shouldn't have to add any shims....I'd be curious to see if a different starter made the same noise. It could be that the shaft with the gear on the starter is bent. Thats just a guess though. If it was me I'd go get a used starter and try that. Without seeing it thats all I can think of.

Good luck!

Thanks. Maybe I'll give the shop where I got the starter a call and see if he'll exchange it for me.

Thanks. Maybe I'll give the shop where I got the starter a call and see if he'll exchange it for me.

I was under the assumption that you had your old starter rebuilt, if its a different remaned starter it shouldn't chatter....I don't know.

I'm sorry. I took it to be rebuilt, but was told that he couldn't do it so I ended up getting a Delco-Remy starter to replace it.

I'm sorry. I took it to be rebuilt, but was told that he couldn't do it so I ended up getting a Delco-Remy starter to replace it.

Hmmmm, then I wouldn't suspect the shaft to be bent....strange, sorry I can't be of more help.

Hmmmm, then I wouldn't suspect the shaft to be bent....strange, sorry I can't be of more help.

No problem. Thanks for the advice you were able to provide.