lbz duramax starter woes

[@DavidStrong-nz1yv]

Hmm! I just commented to a friend a few weeks ago that my truck doesn’t seem to have near the pep that it used to wondering if I have a turbo leak or something. Very interesting. I will absolutely keep you posted on what I find out.

[@thorntonboysgarage]

My turbo sends a code that keeps my engine light on most of the winter. Think its some to do with the high idle. But its the code from the variable geometry. Someday i may have to clean it out. It doesnt seem to happen during the spring/summer/fall as much. Cold related...who knows maybe its something with the pcm as well....

[@Kaeganglynn]

Any fix to the grinding??

[@thorntonboysgarage]

Its not 100%. It made the grinding noise a couple times. But it does seem to be doing ok for the most part. Coming up on a year now. Fingers crossed.

[@tlccav]

any luck with the grinding did it go away?

[@thorntonboysgarage]

No, not completely. Still does it about once or twice a month so far 😑. I think the reason the other starter didnt do it was it was tired and spun slower. New starter hits quick and spins fast. Maybe more bevel but hasn't done it often enough for me to pull it out again yet.

[@DavidStrong-nz1yv]

Mine does the exact same thing. I bought my truck new in 2005 and it just started doing it about a year and a half ago so it can’t be a casting issue. From what I’ve read it looks like a voltage issue. Mine is doing it weekly now and the starter is only a few months old. I put a cheap relay in it & it wouldn’t start at all it would only grind. Put new factory relays in it even changed the sound of the starter but it still grinds intermittently. Has to be a voltage issue gradually damaging the starter.Has to be something wearing out causing it since it don’t start until they are several years old. I’m going to try replacing the ignition switch next. Can’t believe nobody has figured this issue out, it’s very widespread.

[@DavidStrong-nz1yv]

I also read on a forum that several people let the computer completely load when they turn the key on waiting until everything is done beeping & flashing waiting several seconds then turning the key slowly to engage the starter and they said that it completely stopped grinding. I did that and it didn’t bring for over three months but it started doing it again recently and it’s getting way worse now. Points to a voltage issue to me but I just don’t know enough about electrical to troubleshoot it.

[@DavidStrong-nz1yv]

You said that you had a glow plug that needed replaced. Could a bad glow plug draw too much voltage not letting enough go to the starter ? That would explain the turning the key and waiting longer for everything to finish loading making a difference possibly since that also activated the glow plugs. Just a thought. I really need to figure this out before I get stranded again.

[@thorntonboysgarage]

I did notice turning slow seemed to help. I also had one starter not last very long. Ill try the waiting longer. I know all the owners of the truck and apparently its done it since it wasnt very old.

[@Jerseyhighlander]

General Motors... THE worst quality control of any manufacturer on the planet. Will never buy another.