Loud Screeching/Grinding Noise When Starting. What Caused This On My Vehicle

In this video I share some audio of a noise that my starter was making and why it was making this noise. It was making a screeching/ grinding noise when I'd go to start my vehicle and it was doing this because the starter gear was not fully engaging the flywheel when I attempted to start the vehicle. Instead of the gear spinning out all the way and fully engaging the teeth of the flywheel, aka flexplate, it was only spinning out part way and grinding into the teeth of the flywheel. Of course when the starter would do this the vehicle would not start. After a few attempts at starting the vehicle the starter would eventually engage and start the engine.
Note: as mentioned in the video there are a number of things that can cause a similar symptom. This is just how my starter failed and the noise that it made. This video is not a comprehensive video on how to fully and properly diagnose a starter or starting issues. It's not even a comprehensive video on how to properly diagnose and repair the symptom of a screeching/ grinding noise when starting. This is just a quick video demonstrating a noise and its cause with added information about a few other things to check when this symptom is experienced. Use the information found in this video at your own risk. Barbour's Auto Help makes no guarantee that proper diagnosis and repair will be made by using this video.
While this is a simple video and does not contain all information you may need when diagnosing your starter the information you need is probably just a click away. A quick google search on.. "how to test a starter", "how to diagnose a starter", "what does a grinding noise mean when I start my vehicle"...etc will place a huge amount of information at your finger tips that may very well help you diagnose your issue further. Here are some quick links to a few sites that I saw that I believe may help some...
www.firestonec...
www.jdpower.co...
dannysenginepo...
The forum linked below has some great pics of damaged teeth on a flywheel....So you have some kind of example. Typically the teeth will be straight and not have rounded or worn edges....."typically". As mentioned in the video, the flywheel can be inspected by turning the crankshaft a little at a time while inspecting the teeth of the flywheel though the opening that the starter mounts into. The crankshaft can be rotated by placing a socket and ratchet on the crank bolt and rotating the crank. (always turn the crank in the direction that the engine normally spins in when running.) ⚠️ ⚠️Anytime you are underneath a vehicle it should be supported and secured in place properly. Find this information in your repair manual. Injury can occur if this is not done correctly. ⚠️ ⚠️
www.mgexp.com/...
It's fair to also point out the amount of oil and crud that had built up on my starter. I have oil and coolant leaks. The starter had become soaked with oil due to this and coolant leaking on it also isn't helping matters too. If you have oil leaks and or coolant leaks that are allowing coolant or oil to get on and in your starter then it would be highly advised to repair such leaks. Contaminants getting on and in the starter can cause premature failure of the starter.
For tool reviews and product recommendations by Barbour's Auto Help visit my store front on Amazon by clicking the link: www.amazon.com...
Discloser: As an Amazon affiliate I make a commission on qualifying sales.
DISCLAIMER
Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate. Verify everything using an appropriate repair manual.
Repair your vehicle at your own risk! Barbour's auto help does not guarantee a proper repair using these techniques.

[@alexisboren4169]

I just had my starter replace thinking the gears weren’t catching, but I still hear this noise. Could it be my flywheel?

[@bkambs]

I am very thankful for your clear and well executed diagnostic video on this issue which probably just saved my flywheel! Keep up the great work!

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Glad it helped!

[@WanderingWonderer808]

This is exactly what my 01 Expedition is doing. It's so loud and embarrassing when that happens. Thank you so much. Now, how do you fix it?

[@alexisulloa2318]

My suburban has been making this noise intermittently. Thank you!

[@shawnmendrek3544]

Oh man mechanics of vehicles, I get so confused, but I appreciate you did not just narrow it down this from the grind noise alone. I am not going to attempt this, just wanted to see. Let the mechanic handle it.

[@maingun07]

I think I've only dealt with a few starter failures grinding like this. I've just replaced them. However, in the last 10 or 15 years I've kept the old starters and done autopsies on them. Unfortunately, I haven't torn one apart that had this particular failure. All of the ones that I've torn down have been electrical issues, bad solenoid, worn brushes, burnt windings, etc. There's a lot of crud on the outside of that starter so I'm wondering if there's contamination inside that's somehow jamming up the pinion or throwout yoke.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Exactly and good point! I'm sure there is a bunch of crud in my starter. I was sure to mention this in the description. A lot of times if oil leaks and coolant leaks aren't taken care of, like the ones that I have, the starter will fail again in the near future. I've not only have an oil leak but I suspect a freeze plug is leaking on the back of the engine between it and the transmission. A lot of water came out when the starter was removed......So, maybe I'll have a video on that one day. I've gotta limp it along right now though. Thanks for commenting.

[@jaimecasarin7478]

Do we just manually turn the crankshaft little by little? Does it matter what gear is it on? Does the direction I turn it matter? I'm not a mechanic, so bear with me. I think I can handle that.

[@CrisCord-vv4bp]

Straight to the point.Great video

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Thanks!

[@ahmedhamid1226]

Saved me 6 hours waiting for recovery 🙏

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Awesome.

[@feba2]

Nice, no bla bla just the title of the video unfolded. That’s how KZbin should be :) thank you for sharing

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You're too kind. Thanks.

[@lisahughes7053]

I've replaced the started 3 times on 5 months they all end up stop working. It has to be another issue that keeps making them do that

[@jorheybhai]

My noise is gone after changing the Starter thanks a lot

[@lindiwemdingi5051]

Straight to the point.great video .mine is doing like this too.

[@jeweljuno2150]

Bravo. Thank you. Clear and concise.

[@RetroRepair]

Great video that explained exactly what's happening. My only issue is, how did you fix it? It's clearly working on your bench so what did you do?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

I replaced the starter. It was the starter that was causing my issue. It would intermittently act up. Haven't had this problem since.

[@shellynesbit4372]

FYI ring gear teeth on Chrysler L.A318/360 are on Tongue converter not flex plate as on Ford or G.M so if teeth are damaged the Torgue converter will have be replaced

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Ouch! Thanks for sharing.

[@tope.sosanya]

Thanks. This is very helpful!

[@BigFarm_ah365]

Mine seems to be having a problem disengaging. Starts fine but grinds for a split second as it disengages. I'll have to pull it and have a look

[@johnysilver1853]

I replaced original starter that had 10 tooth on it with aftermarket with 9 teeth on it and it was working perfectly for a few weeks now I hear grinding noise in 70% occurrence when starting the car

[@mattmcknight3192]

So i got a 2000 isuzu rodeo, and i cant get the solenoid out so i just replaced the motor part. And it still does that noise.

[@anqeldasaint110]

Just got a new starter and now it’s grinding imma cry

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Imma cry with you! Sorry.

[@timmcgowan27]

I have the same sound how long do I have before it starts doing damage to the fly wheel

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

May have already happened. Not something you want to wait to address.

[@artgaisin122]

great video, very informative!!

[@botgameplay236]

My 05 outback seems to only do this when it is cold outside.. is that common?

[@chrisdelarosa1961]

Does it stall sometimes while trying to turn it on

[@Scuffed_Fox]

I've replaced the flywheel and starter and it still grinds on me. Any ideas?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Does your starter require shims?

[@jaybeez9696]

I’ve changed my starter multiple times and my car still does this

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Well, do you think that maybe your flywheel may be bad? Or maybe something else is going on?

[@Sinister_187]

Hey i got infiniti i35 2003 that takes long to start it will crank long den start

[@jamaalportee1367]

I've replaced my starer on a 1994 Honda Accord and still getting the same results could something else be wrong ?

[@bobikzielarz]

Good info.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ZachsAdventures.]

My truck was making this noise ..put on a new starter and its still making the same noise ..any ideas ? 2011 f150 ecoboost

[@magneticaura8604]

I had my starter replaced (2016 Chevy Malibu) last week and it's started back making the grinding noise after failure to restart at the stoplight today.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

ok

[@TrillHill7714]

I have a 04 ford Taurus . Im having this same problem. Is it possible to view the Fly wheel on a Taurus the same way . I spoke to a mechanic that replaced my starter and he said he would have to remove the transmission. To view the flywheel . Is that accurate?

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You should be able to view the ring gear through where the starter mounts. This is what needs to be checked. No need to remove the transmission to inspect a damaged ring gear.

[@garnerwilliams8912]

Awesome trouble shooting

[@jimtom4878]

Same with my 06 impala ss

[@OrtezRoge]

Thank you :)

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

You're welcome!

[@orionmyth]

Electrical?

[@tylerstoddard707]

Hey, so I just replaced my starter in my 65 mustang and the car starts but there is a grinding noise coming from the bell housing while the car is just sitting and running. Is there any explanation besides there being a failure with the flywheel because this noise only started after replacing my starter.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Does this starter require shimming? Have you removed the new starter to see if there is evidence of maybe the flywheel rubbing on it.

[@tylerstoddard707]

@@BarboursAutoHelp jegs told me this starter does not require a shim. I have a 302 small block and my last starter went out because it was too close to the headers. I tried putting in a stock starter after to see if it wouldn’t hit the headers but it was too large, so I opted for a high torque starter. This starter fits fine, but when I turn the key it makes a terrible grinding sound while starting and while running. I took a look at the starter gear and it seems to be unscathed, and could not really get a good look at the flywheel, but the teeth looked ok.

[@kenhorn6489]

Ok so i guess I have a bad flywheel grrrrrrrrrr😢

[@HeartlessHopelessRecords]

Damn starter

[@MaintenanceProSam]

Flexplate*

[@mmiw-rip-cass2628]

Thats the same noise my dodge avenger makes.

[@martinzapata6014]

Hello I have a 1979 el Camino and I have a new aftermarket starter. One day I turn the key and I hear this ugly grinding noise I checked the starters alignment and it was good. I also checked if my starter was bad and it isn’t. So what seems to be the problem

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Is the starter shimmed correctly and have you checked the flywheel?

[@abdulmosheen5423]

Hey i get the same sound occationally and wont let me start my car. But when i shift from P all the way to L and then back to P and then start the car, it starts without giving that noise. Could this be the starter too? coz the car starts after i have shifted.

[@BarboursAutoHelp]

Hard to say.

[@664sdp]

Need flywheel and new starter and still make that over crank noise

[@nazuki5133]

Lmao i have a 2004 ranger making the same noise