Russm
Active member
- 244
- 69
- 28
- Location
- Ft. Wainwright, AK
Let me try to get my whole history in here before you guys tear me apart. ![Drooling :drool: :drool:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/droolfactor10_275.gif)
About 2 months ago my batteries started going bad, not able to hold a charge. Just out of warranty, go figure. Truck would struggle a little to start. I was also poor at the time, money was tight, couldn't make any fixes so I just ran with it.
Shortly thereafter I started getting some really LOUD grinding noise upon starting. Like echoing across the parking lot and people turn and look at you loud. It would make that noise for 1-2 sec then start. I tried to use the truck as little as possible from here after.
So I searched in here, found that low battery voltage might cause the starter gear to not fully engage the flex plate, so it slips and makes that noise.
Truck has been mostly sitting since then.
I just changed the batteries. Nice walmart brand with 5 year warranty.
The problem sound remains.
Pulled off the starter. The starter bolts came out way too easy.(could this be the issue? it was too loose?) Like if they weren't so greasy I could almost take them out by hand. The gear in the starter looks ok. The outer edge is a little more shiny than the rest of it, but otherwise fine. No missing or worn down teeth, looks exactly like the product pic from rockauto. Too dark now to take off the inspection cover off the rear of the tranny to look at the flex plate, but from what I could see with a flashlight, the teeth look good. Need to obviously check the rest of it.
Kind of stumped what to do from here. I think the starter isnt engaging fully, thats why its grinding like that.
What else...
It's the direct drive starter. On one side it says "no shim"
The bracket on the end is there, it was holding the end of the starter securely. The little bolt that sticks out the end of the starter for this bracket does appear to be bent slightly.
The truck has otherwise not been touched down there
as long as I've had it. Starting has never been an issue until now.
![Drooling :drool: :drool:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/droolfactor10_275.gif)
About 2 months ago my batteries started going bad, not able to hold a charge. Just out of warranty, go figure. Truck would struggle a little to start. I was also poor at the time, money was tight, couldn't make any fixes so I just ran with it.
Shortly thereafter I started getting some really LOUD grinding noise upon starting. Like echoing across the parking lot and people turn and look at you loud. It would make that noise for 1-2 sec then start. I tried to use the truck as little as possible from here after.
So I searched in here, found that low battery voltage might cause the starter gear to not fully engage the flex plate, so it slips and makes that noise.
Truck has been mostly sitting since then.
I just changed the batteries. Nice walmart brand with 5 year warranty.
Pulled off the starter. The starter bolts came out way too easy.(could this be the issue? it was too loose?) Like if they weren't so greasy I could almost take them out by hand. The gear in the starter looks ok. The outer edge is a little more shiny than the rest of it, but otherwise fine. No missing or worn down teeth, looks exactly like the product pic from rockauto. Too dark now to take off the inspection cover off the rear of the tranny to look at the flex plate, but from what I could see with a flashlight, the teeth look good. Need to obviously check the rest of it.
Kind of stumped what to do from here. I think the starter isnt engaging fully, thats why its grinding like that.
What else...
It's the direct drive starter. On one side it says "no shim"
The bracket on the end is there, it was holding the end of the starter securely. The little bolt that sticks out the end of the starter for this bracket does appear to be bent slightly.
The truck has otherwise not been touched down there
![Rolling Eyes :roll: :roll:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)