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Test D: Starter Noise Diagnosis: Testing

  1. Did you perform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check? If so, go to step  2. If not, see ENGINE ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK  under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM.
  2. Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? If so, test for intermittent and poor connections. If not, go to step  3.
  3. Start the engine while listening to the starter motor turn. Is there a loud "whoop" (it may sound like a siren if the engine is revved while the starter is engaged) after the engine starts, but while the starter is still held in the engaged position? If not, go to step  6. If not, go to step  4.
  4. Do you hear a "rumble", a "growl", or in some cases, a "knock" as the starter is coasting down to a stop after starting the engine? If so, go to step  7. If not, go to step  5.
  5. This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid. When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? If so, go to step  8. If not, go to step  7.
  6. Inspect the flywheel ring gear for the following: Chipped gear teeth Missing gear teeth Milled teeth Is the flywheel bent or does it have damaged teeth? If so, go to step  9. If not, go to step  10.
  7. Remove the starter motor. See STARTER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect the starter motor bushings and clutch gear. Does the clutch gear have chipped or milled teeth or worn bushings? If so, go to step  10. If not, go to step  9.
  8. Shim the starter motor away from the flywheel by adding shims between the starter motor and the engine block one at a time. Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent. Did you complete the repair? If so, go to step  11.
  9. Replace the flywheel. See REMOVAL & INSTALLATION - A/T article. Did you complete the replacement? If not, go to step  11.
  10. Replace the starter motor. See STARTER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Did you complete the replacement? If so, go to step  11.
  11. Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system OK. If not, go to step  3.
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