98sterlingmist

Has any one ever experienced this noise. It happens right after i start the car. I t is like the start keeps going a few seconds to long. Is this something i can fix, or something my mechanic should tackle.
thanks,
98sterlingmistSE
48000 miles

Daniel B. Martin

This sounds like the solenoid is not disengaging the starter drive (a/k/a the Bendix) soon enough. This may be the result of the grease on the starter drive fork being congealed or deteriorated. The least costly fix (if you do it yourself) is to remove the starter motor, disassemble it, clean and lubricate the clutch fork mechanism and the shaft which supports the starter drive, put it all together, and reinstall the starter. The easiest fix (if you pay someone else to repair your car) is to replace the starter.

98sterlingmist

Is this something that i need to fix immediately, will my starter eventually die?

Daniel B. Martin

It's not urgent, but you will save money if you do it soon. If you negelect this repair, one of two things will happen.
1) The weather will turn warmer and the symptom will go away.
2) The starter drive will fail. When that happens you will have to replace the starter drive, or possibly the whole starter.

If you do your own work, cleaning and relubricating the starter's internals will cost you time but no money.

rp95se

got it changed last august at firestone in raleigh, nc.

bastard died on the way to the shore, thank god for sticks, started twice by parking on a hill and in reverse letting it out kicking it over immediately.

firestone charged ~$200 labor and starter i think.