Looking at replacing my 98 I wrecked. Went and looked at a 97 today. I think I could get the car pretty cheap but there is one problem I am going to have to address right off the bat.

When the key is turned it sounds like the starter engages for a split second and then it just spins. Basically you hear the engine turn for a 1/4 second and then you just hear something spinning until you let go of the key. He says the problem happens intermittently and seems to happen more frequently if the car is warmed up. He also said someone told him it might be a timing issue.

Without knowing exactly what was wrong I told the guy I had to figure that out and get back to him.

So, any ideas? I did my own clutch job before so working on it wouldn't be a problem but if it is going to be extremely involved I would rather find a different one than have to do major work off the bat.

 

Timing shouldn't have anything to do with starter spinning like that. Probably just needs re-greased. Worst case would be need new starter or flywheel. Do some searches on the starter rebuild for details and symptoms. If flywheel has LOTS of teeth chewed, it could cause this, but more likely the starter.

 

use that "timing" problem to lower teh price to something you like n just throw a starter in it...

 

alright i was thinking it was probably just the starter but i knew the flywheel thing was a possibility. the guy has the car listed for 2400 but besides this issue he also is moving back to oregon on monday and has to sell the car before then.

the main problem is i can't work on the car where i live right now and I am about to move so something major (ie changing flywheels) wouldn't be possible. if it's just the starter i can do that in about 15 minutes and that doesn't affect my desire to buy the car or not but the flywheel thing would.

 

ok well let me ask this question i just thought up. regardless of whether it was the flywheel or starter i should be able to push start the car whether it was either right? if so then i should be able to do that to verify that it is not some other problem?