Test Procedure
- Perform engine electrical diagnostic system check. See DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM. Go to next step.
- Start engine. If starter operates normally, see INTERMITTENT OR POOR CONNECTIONS under TROUBLE SHOOTING. If starter does not operate normally, go to next step.
- Start engine while listening to starter motor turn. If there is a loud "whoop" sound (may sound like a siren if engine is revved after it starts, but while still being held in engaged position), go to step 6 . If there is no loud "whoop" sound as described, go to next step.
- If there is a rumble, growl, or in some cases, a knock noise as starter is coasting down to a stop after starting, go to step 7
. If there are no noises as described, go to next step.NOTE: Following symptom is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid.
- If there is a high-pitched whine after engine cranks and starts normally, go to step 8 . If there is no high-pitched whine, go to step 7 .
- Inspect flywheel ring gear for chipped, missing or milled gear teeth. If flywheel is bent or has damaged teeth, go to step 9 . If no problems were found, go to step 10 .
- Remove starter motor. See STARTER
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect starter motor bushings and clutch gear. If clutch gear has chipped or milled teeth, or starter motor has worn bushings, go to step 10
. If no problems were found, go to step 9
.NOTE: Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent.
- Shim starter motor away from flywheel by adding shims between starter motor and engine block one at a time. Go to step 11 .
- Replace flywheel or flexplate. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION or MANUAL TRANSMISSION in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION. Go to step 11 .
- Replace starter motor. See STARTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Go to next step.
- Operate starting system to verify repair. If starter motor is still noisy, go back to step 3 .