I have heard that the starter is sort of a sore spot for most high-mileage Max owners. I'm at 121,500 miles, and just about every time I stat the car, the starter continues grinding away even after the engine has started.

My questions:

1) What is happening and why?

2) How hard and how much to fix?


Thanks for your time, this n00b tried using SEARCH without much luck, and I didn't see anything in the FAQ's.

 

Nothing to be super concerned about. The started needs to be regreased. This mostly happens when the weather is cold.

Well, you did say it continues to grind so I'd probably replace the started.

 

at 125,000 miles my starter got replaced. It was about 300 dollars i think but im sure you can do it yourself for much cheaper if you know how. Or get a friend or neighbor to help =].

 

When you engage the starter, the solenoid activates and pushes the gear onto the flywheel ring gear. When the car starts, the starter gear is supposed to retract into the starter again. Obvously this is not happening. I'd change it asap as the grinding you hear is the starter gear and flywheel ring gear hitting each other. If you have to replace the flywheel ring gear, be prepared to bend over for some labor charges.

 

before you replace it try to do this : http://www.motorvate.ca/ instructions for regreasing the starter are on there

 

Thanks very much for the replies! I will look into regreasing it, hopefully I won't need to replace it just yet....

 

My recommendation if you regrease it is that you purchase a spare starter from your local auto store as a backup (for me, cost was $140 from Kragen for a lifetime warranty remanufactured starter).

When I regreased my starter, it was no problem. The problem came when I was torquing those tiny bolts back onto the starter casing. I used the torque specs from the FSM, and SNAP!! I broke one of the bolts with less than half the torque spec. Cheap hitachi starters!

So, I just put in the spare starter and all was well. You can always return the spare starter if you do not use it, so no money is lost there. For a $140 starter, the new unit works great. Quick starts and no more grinding whizzing noises.