I've been having problems with starting my car for several weeks now. Upon turning the ignition key it would make a loud grinding noise and will not start. After 1-4 tries the car does start and runs w/o any problems. Most of the time this occurs on cold starts when the vehicle has been parked overnight or prolonged periods of time (more than 5 hrs).

I assumed that this was related to the grease being dried out inside the starter so I took it apart and regreased the planetary gear set only (shown in this pic). After re-installing the starter the engine would not turn over, I could hear the starter motor spinning but it wouldn't crank. So I took the starter apart again thinking that I messed something up and after about 4 more cranks it finally started.
I still have the same problem as before.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Bad starter solenoid.

 

I just changed mine today. I got a rebuild for $100 + shipping with "1 Year" warranty. here is the phone # 310 530 6410. A new solenoid is about $50~$60, but you need to wish every thing works.

 

maaaaaan take that old sh*t in and get a new one for $140 with a life time warranty on it and just switch it out thas what i did over the weekend

 

Where did you get a new starter for $140 and is it OEM?

 

I'm having the same problem...if you hear the starter "spinning" (like a whurring sound), then the actual starter motor is fine but the solenoid part of it is not pushing the gear into the flywheel. I'm trying to decide whether to go OEM or local lifetime replacement now.

 

are there no machine shop in the US who rebuild them???? mine cost about 70$ CAN tu rebuild, no more starting problems since...

 

Yes, that's exactly what's happening with mine. I'm considering to get OEM from trademotion site for $59.05+shipping unless someone knows where to get one for less.

 

I got a quote from my local parts store today for a solenoid; ~$40 CAD

 

I took my starter apart tonight and the shaft where the starter gear slides up and down was really gummy/dry so it wasnt moving very smoothly. Everything else looked good, so I regreased that shaft and the other moving pieces and put it back together. I'll just activate the solenoid and see how strong it kicks out the starting gear and then throw it back on-hopefully that will fix it.

 

Wow this is great, I came here tonight to post a question about this exact thing.

I read about the starter and solenoid in the Haynes manual and it doesn't say anything about the solenoid pushing the gear into place, just that the solenoid turns on the starter. I thought, what's the point of that?

So is the verdict to get a new solenoid and regrease the starter gearing, or just replace the entire starter assembly?

 

i just replaced mine last week. i got it at advance auto for 129.99. there was a 60 dollar core charge that you get back when you bring back the old one. the oem one has 8 teeth where as the new one has 11. it starts so much faster. deffinatly get a new one

 

Same issue here. 97SE with 138K miles. Normally it made noise when starting. Now it will make a slight whirring noise and not start. Took 4 tries this AM. NOW a few questions.

I have a herniated disc in my lower back. Not much mobility but decent pain. Should I have a shop do this or how long will I be under a jacked up car to replace it? I hate to pay to do labor on cars, homes, etc.

Also, I now have a Service Engine Soon light from this AM. Not sure if it was because I had a hard time starting or what. A few years back a friend helped me t-shoot my knock sensor with the codes. Can someone list the steps/tools to check the codes using the CPU and screw trick. I know mine can do it but would rather know the exact steps to find out what my car is telling me.

Thanks: e3

 

Well only because you are giving me a guilt trip for contemplating a flame will I help willingly.

Pull the Trouble Codes manually here

To change your starter, if you have a stock intake, you will have to remove it which will a total of 5 minutes. Then you can reach the starter which is secured by 2 bolts I believe. Swap the starter and done.

How to Change your starter here

Good luck.

 

I'm with this guy...get the newer one with 11 teeth, it cranks much faster!

 

exactly which one did you buy? the only starters I see have 8 or 10 teeth. hmmm ... maybe it makes a difference tha tI have a 96 SE.

how do you guys feel about the remanufactured starters from auto zone?

 

The solenoid on the starter serves two purposes:it acts as a relay for the starter (switches higher current using lower current) AND pulls a lever which then causes the starter gear to move up a shaft and into the flywheel. If you hear the starter spinning (a whirring electric motor sound), then the starter is turning just not being pushed into the flywheel (to start the car).

In my case, I'll probably just replace the solenoid because it's $40-the starter motor itself sounded fine.

 

I've been researching this and the general consensus is to stay away from Autozone for rebuilt parts. I hear good things about CarQuest, NAPA, and Advance Auto so that's where I'm going.

 

Oops. I actually meant to say Advance Auto. Are reman'd parts from advance auto any good?

 

Where did you find the solenoid for $40, because the cheapest I've seen is about $60 from trademotion.com?