Starter Noise Diagnosis

1998 Dodge Neon, 2.0 I-4, 5 sp. manual. Noises occur just after engine start, sometimes while attempting to crank the engine.

[@brandie5794]

Noise session starts at 1:52

[@schradeya]

Thank you! And, yep, that's EXACTLY the sound we were hearing, after putting the transmission back in. There's a little gap at the top pin of the starter. Everything else points to the starter, too, but I needed to make sure about that sound.

[@hockey1272]

Not all heroes wear capes!

[@x-tina1373]

I love you brandie lol

[@scottgm321]

Thanks

[@jt612]

Omg thx

[@daynamonroe1756]

Finally a damn vid that shows the noise I’ve been looking for. So it is my starter . THX

[@JoseMoreno-zt4yx]

Dayna Monroe was it you starter?

[@BOB-rr5fe]

F ing same looking all night happend on my mercruiser boat motor I pulled out took to Machanics they said it’s the solenoid I’m getting a quote on how much to get fixed or it’s a $240 new of $100 used the starter drive didn’t come out when I hand spinned it but the stiny thing looked good ( should the fly wheel spin slowly or no) as I was scared I blown my motor up 😅😅

[@AJFresh69]

A school that produces quality instructional material for free. You guys deserve far more views and likes than you're getting. Thank you!!

[@gjthayer]

Finally someone who knows what they are talking about awesome video man

[@MrOTcomputer]

5:49 - I knew it! This is one of the best (if not THE best - 1.2M Views says it all) starter videos on KZbin hands down! Great understanding and explanation and video footage. Thank you! _(I've got a Honda Civic and I replaced the starter a little over a year ago. The starter was grinding at cold startup every now and then before the civic would start. I took it apart and cleaned the inside and put it back together and it ran perfect for about 3 months before it started doing it again. I believe the pinion shaft needs lube because I'm assuming the gear is sticking on the shaft just like in this video. I always suspected that the "teeth" on the main wheel couldn't possibly go bad because of the size and thickness and now this video has confirmed my suspicions about that.)_ Much appreciated. *Liked & Subscribed!*

[@MrOTcomputer]

*Update:* I took the Honda Civic 01 Starter apart again and sprayed some DRY lube on the shaft and cleaned the starter with some CRC QD Electronic Cleaner and reinstalled the starter. It ran fine for about two weeks before it began doing the same thing (sporadically grind/groaning a little before turning the engine over). I ran the Civic for another week before it finally did nothing at all when turning the key. I removed the starter and took it back to O'Reilly auto parts (it was only 10 months old) and they tested the starter and said it was totally dead. They believed it was a bad solenoid. That would make sense because I didn't take apart the solenoid part of the starter, I just took apart and cleaned the main inside of the starter and lubed the shaft. It was under warranty so O'Reilly gave me a replacement starter and after I installed that, it's been running fine for the past few months now. So if your starter grinds/groans a little before the engine turns over/starts or you turn the key and hold the key and it takes a second or two to start/turn over the engine, you may have a bad starter/starter solenoid problem. If the starter shaft is sticking/catching it might cause these symptoms too, so I'd suggest lubing that first to see if it fixed the problem before replacing the entire starter.

[@steveandrews5777]

Excellent video. Very thorough. Thanks for taking the time!

[@bigeyejim]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This was THE video that totally diagnosed my 2008 Grand Caravan!! Cheers!!

[@mercz1967Roblox]

Awesome video and great explanation. I like the fact you showed the teeth on both I’m going to assess my flywheel tomorrow because I had my starter rebuilt and it went bad again after one week

[@miguelalozano881]

watching in 2017 and I'm glad I found this video, getting nothing but the zing sound ready to pull that starter out and chunk it away. 👍

[@rgo5792]

miguel a Lozano 2019

[@rynearguello5641]

R Go 2020

[@joseguillen603]

@@rynearguello5641 2021

[@sabreko_OW]

2024 hahaha

[@DigitalBridge.]

Thanks for the video I was looking for an answer and you are the only one to provide it!

[@michaelm3052]

Thanks, brother. My car just started doing that zing sound last night. You've saved me a lot of time diagnosing the starter. I'll change it out next payday.

[@yusefalmutawakil3325]

Did the new starter fix the problem

[@asphtherogue]

Thank you so much, this helped me diagnose my car's issue. I'd been hearing the exact sound made after turning the key when the starter doesn't disengage properly for a few seconds, but no other video really played that sound or at least not clearly. I'm going to go ahead and get a new starter as soon as possible and have a crack at replacing it myself. Thanks guys!

[@alex1701waller]

How'd it go?

[@asphtherogue]

@@alex1701waller replaced the starter motor and all good :)

[@dennisnelson7049]

This video helped me find the issue. This was the same sound. So I pulled my starter and there was wear on pinion and it was freely moving in and out. Thank you.

[@NomadicDave2032]

I got this same deal with my 96 ford ranger, havent gotten the cash for the starter yet, but I like to do things myself but couldn't remember what the heck it was and this is dead nuts on the money. Great video, extremely helpful.

[@momarkanson5031]

Best video I’ve seen with the exact problem I’m having with my 06 altima

[@zimmazim2907]

Mines been making similar noises with the added frustration of not starting on first few attempts….had a feeling the starter was failing, this has just confirmed it. Thank you for uploading an easy to understand & follow tutorial 👍🏻👍🏻

[@samukelodlamini9853]

I'm experiencing the same thing was it only just the starter? I'm slightly afraid I'll have to replace the fly wheel also...

[@shawnpa]

Nice explanation of the problem and showing how the starter was stuck out with the damage it did. Probably happens with starters. Thank you.

[@simonclarke9796]

Great video guys thank you replay helped me understand what I was hearing.

[@mathieuclerte5252]

Very precious info in that video, cheers mate !

[@murrat]

Thanks for posting this video. Very informative on what a bad starter can look like.

[@alfa307]

Great video, thank you hope to see more useful videos from you.

[@hippofaticalli]

Great demonstration.. Good work my friend.

[@ENERGREKS1]

Thank you that last startup is pretty much what my Cadillac is sounding like I was worried it was a transmission issue but I guess I'll look into my starter

[@mthom4808]

Thank you so much!! I am having trouble with my Toyota right now. I was looking online and this was the only video that could give me the sound. Do you do videos for diagnosing other repair problems i.e. alternator, drive shaft... just thinking about the future :)

[@jimmyoalfaro]

Thanks for this very helpful video!

[@DIGITALCANADA]

Sir Tracy Hind, thank you! I have a boat with Mercruiser 3.0 engine and I've been hearing the exact same "zing" and I was 99% sure the teeth in the fly wheel is the problem. I observed some of the sides of my flywheel having grinding marks just like yours. My heart sank and I thought some teeth cracked off and went missing. BUT... after hearing what you had to say, quote, "....what we need is a new flywheel. That is almost never the case. I mean that It's exceptionally rare but you hear that all the time, all teeth missing off the fly wheel. No, its a bad starter. I would say 9 times out of 10, if you get that little zing before you start the engine, its a bad starter". Another quote, "You can see the teeth on the starter pinion are obviously softer metal than the teeth on the flywheel and that's on purpose". - THESE words of yours has given me some confidence. I'm taking a leap of faith and changing the starter :) Will share with you and your audience the result. FYI - I've NEVER done any thing on a car or boat, except light wiring. So IF I SUCCEED, then anyone can :). THANK YOU SIR!

[@andreyk5739]

Thanks for the great video! You solved my problem!

[@bw1532]

This confirms for me what I already thought on my old bmw. Bad starter. It has had trouble starting, same zing. Will occasionally fail to start with high pitched whining, then after a few more tries, will fire right up. Thanks for the vid.

[@carsalan8679]

excelent video , this really help me to fix my neon 1995

[@lovetheoutdoors9485]

I have the same problem and same grinding but it won't roll over. I'm going to buy a new starter today and see from there. I'm no mechanic but I do know how to work on honda since I just did my honda timing belt because a mechanic told me that it's not the starter. He also said to remove belt cover and damper and check the the key did not brake. I removed everything and did my timing and that key was in perfect shape. Great video and thanks for sharing. This job I did save me a shit load of money and the time wasted for nothing well it was worth it. Again thank you for your video

[@GOSJSU]

Thanks! That was very helpful.

[@MegAmorRomance]

Oh my god. THANK you. That is EXACTLY the noises my car was making. I was terrified I'd done a timing belt. But that's the noise. My mechanic is putting in a new starter tomorrow and he's hoping that the starter is the problem. I'd say so. :) This makes me happier than a timing belt on a VW beetle.

[@anissareal5722]

Meg Amor did the new starter fix that noise?

[@silverphantomLX]

Did that fix the problem? My VW Beetle just started making the whining noise

[@melodiemixon7850]

I thought it was my timing also and I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that thought the two sounded the same!!

[@waterangola]

Well done... great explanation!!!!

[@carlomango407]

In other cases, when you turn the key to start the vehicle , you will here a "click" noise and nothing more, with the dashboard light flickering, or simply no clicking noise or lights at all. Before assuming it's the starter, check battery connections and terminals for corrosion. Check ground cable and follow it to chassis and make sure no corrosion or dirt and grime have accumulated on both ends of negative cable. Then do the same with the positive and follow it till you get to starter selonoid. But be very carefully not to bridge with a metal to ground as you could fry your computer or alternator creating a short. Once you have determine connections are clean, check battery voltage and if it's 12.4V, it's static voltage it's OK. After cleaning battery, start vehicle if you year same click or nothing happens either the starter is bad or the engine is locked up. If you hear a "Click" or "tack" noise hit the starter with a brass hammer, this will restablished connection inside and sometimes it works. while tapping starter have someone turn key. If car turns over and starts then you need to change starter. However, if you have determined it's not the starter, and you still here a "click" when turning ignition key, your engine most likely is locked up. Remove lug nuts, Jack up vehicle and remove wheel that faces the timing belt side. Take a cheater bar and with the right socket size and extension turn crankshaft the correct way it spins .. If it does not spin at all, you got big problems...your engine is locked up, probably is broken inside. Either you threw a rod and pieces of metal are stuck inside. If that is your case, I'm sorry for that..

[@lauramccafferty10]

My starter is only 2 yrs old

[@mongovang]

@@lauramccafferty10 it can still go out

[@Woahbo]

My Honda accord 2003 has a brand new starter and was working fine. A day later I got to start and it makes a clunking noise almost like it’s trying to hard to engage before it starts but it starts still. It’s more like it turns over “make a knocking sound” then starts. Do you have any idea what it could be

[@jjalandoon]

Thank you for this video. This is the same sound I hear on my scooter. Now I know that the bendix drive is not retracting properly.

[@franciscogomez-fk6ey]

great bro it help me alot with my f 100 72 thanks friend.

[@Orangelemonblue]

Yup this is what is wrong with my truck...thanks for the video!

[@angelomartin23]

Brooo this is actually the problem of my Chevrolet optra. Thank youuuu!!!!

[@philtrottier4442]

Great tutorial! Thanks a lot

[@jollyroger2858]

What a great honest video, im going to go ahead and chamge the started on my volvo xc60 d4

[@SaidSaid-dt8wz]

Thank you very much for the good video.

[@zacthegunguy899]

Thank you so much man my moms 01 Alero is doing this however do you know if it needs to be shimmed I can measure it with 1/8 inch drill bit but don't remember seeing any old shimms

[@juliabear2322]

have a 99 Ford contour when I try to start it just spins. no engagement. do I have to replace whole starter or just part? I'm a single mom trying to do this on my own any advice would be great

[@qhoneyb3]

Thank you. I was told by a mechanic( with out testing or hearing the noise) my truck might have bad fly wheel but most people who hear me start it said starter. It make a horrible screech sometimes before it starts. Thanks. I'm going to look into replacing the starter. Because I was told by the mechanic flywheel replacement was expensive. He might have been trying to rip me off.

[@sHaDyBcRaZy]

Got an 07 Saturn Vue that makes the same sound occasionally when i turn the key. Thanks for the info

[@Wawaspmoqa]

I am glad you recorded the sound, great idea. Since most people describe sounds to their trouble. It was fairly easy to tell by the sound what was wrong with that one, the squeal or spinning like sound was the starter was staying engaged and would need a new one. Although mine is not doing this exactly it makes more of a thunk sound as it starts. Maybe 2 or 3 times before it stops when the motor starts. Makes me think the starter is either loose or not totally engaged, but does release. The sound gives me a sense that it is knocking while something is moving. Has anyone hear this sound and know that it could be? 92' vehicle, starts and runs great, drives like new. Thought I would ask here before I can get it checked out, so I can have some idea of what it may be. Not driving it often. Just started the last few times I've started it. Haven't have the vehicle about a week, maybe started a dozen or two times before. I don't know for sure if it had been worked on it, has had many new parts replaced before I got it. Even though the man said I could call, I really don't want to bother the man, since I bought it "as is".

[@erichkestler1934]

Great video. Than you for explaining the missing teeth on the fly wheel issue.

[@yeexiong09]

Great video! Thanks!

[@panzerelite2540]

Happened on my S10. But as to where your pinion wasn't retracting and coming out correctly, mine was completly loose. It had so much play in it it was hitting against my flywheel and making a popping-like sound as the truck ran and mostly on acceleration. Glad I got it fixed and it didn't damage my flywheel.

[@Southized]

What did you do just put washers on starter bolts or replaced

[@gbayb3025]

Is that also considering taking the starter to the parts store and coming out as a good starter...is it possible for it to be coming out from testing as a good one but still have that problem?

[@Z3CHYD]

This is exactly what the issue was when I changed the transmission in my 96 geo prizm, the starter would engage fine but then not be retracted enough to clear the flywheel, causing the tips of the starter gears to grind down. One washer on each bolt was just enough to clear, no more grinding!

[@akumavssasher]

Really helpful thanks!

[@STYLISHHILLS]

I would have loved to see and hear the difference after the starter was fixed.

[@flir67man84]

thank you for this video. i've been trying to keep my dying starter going . tonight it made this sound . i though it was engine bearing or something

[@clearwater9118]

Me too. But if i losen my starter and shift its position, the squeal stops. Im thinking my flywheel is bent or cracked somewhere.

[@dannythabeast8958]

when I try to start my car it doesn't crank it makes more of a grinding type noise but then at the end it makes a hissing type noise. is it the starter? or is it something more serious? it sounds like pressure is being relieved some where

[@codybonnett001]

I got the exact car an sounds like that after releasing the clutch an Goin forward from 1st gear an 2nd an doesn't do it in any other gear an but it starts jus fine any information would help me out

[@fatherof8kids]

Good explanation.

[@shevinsacrey5862]

Is it possible that this could cause and engine misfire code to come up. I hear this sound when starting my mother's 2006 impala. It doesn't continue squealing or rattling or whatever after the engine starts, it's just for a second before the engine starts running. She tells me that the engine light comes on and off intermittently and when I put my code reader on it came up as a cylinder 6 misfire. I'm going to try moving the coil pack and see if the misfire code changes to that cylinder but just wanted to see if this could cause it. Like even though I'm not hearing the sound after its running, I'm wondering if the gear is hanging up and the causing enough vibration to make the engine think it's a misfire or maybe it's lose and while driving it slides out a bit and then the lights comes on and then ends up sliding back into place and the light goes off again, causing that intermittent engine light? Just want to know if that could cause it because then I can replace that part before I go on with the trial and error.

[@swapper_g8293]

Figure it was the starter, not a pulley you're the Man

[@livingsimpl3]

what ring gear should be the right part for a chevy s10 96 v6... 142 or 168?

[@sdranac]

I need your help. Most of the times my car starts normally, but once in a while, once in about 5 times, the stater is spinning and mashing a slippery noise and it doesn’t engage, And then when I try again, one or two times, it works! I have tried different starters, and they all do the same thing, and then I have ruled out the stater as a problem and I now suspect something else like a relay, the ignition switch or other, causing the starter not receiving enough power maybe once in a while to deploy completely the pignon gear of the bendix to engage the big gear by the flywheel to crank the motor properly. Can that starter slipping and slipping turning noise be caused by not enough power getting it, making it turn but not fast enough to push the pinion gear completely out once in a while and therefore not engaging? But if it was the cause, why would it engage the next time or second next time? I have ran out of explanations, causes, reasons and ways to fix it, please somebody, help me out, thanks so much!

[@jiubi24]

my 2006 pontiac gto makes the same noise like the one from the start of your video but mine wont start it just makes that noise, do you think its the same problem bad starter? i replaced the starter not too long ago... please help thanks

[@stevenbucks2120]

Video very helpful

[@bdog840]

I'm working on a 95 Neon had a bad starter. So, I bought a new one installed it hooked up the wires and all that. Car started right up the first try. Then smelt something burning and thought maybe oil dripped on the exhaust. After the second attempt to start the starter struggled to turn the engine over. I thought somethings not right after turning off the car I heard the starter whine down with the engine. I diagnosed that the solenoid was stuck in the out position and wasn't retracting like it should. So I'm thinking there's a short somewhere like a stuck relay or bad ignition switch?

[@Tomzo711]

So my 2001 ford ranger 2.5l started struggling to start a few days ago and yesterday it's all zing no start. I was suspecting the starter. Is that likely the case?

[@queenninathetwin]

My sound isn't quite the same. It just started doing it last week. A bit of a quick grind sound when I start up. Thinking the drive pinion isn't getting the heck out of the way fast enough anymore. The sound is like what you get when you don't release the key after starting. It's a 1997 Astro, so it I see a new starter in the near future. And yes, I'll be doing it myself.

[@asimk9518]

Mine does exact same thing first time, I have question, how do we know if we should use 11 teeth or 12 teeth, mine is non auto start but when i look online all of them come up as 11 teeth and old motor has 12 teeth that also looks new looks like last owner had it changed but I have doubt, my car flywheel gets noisy when it’s warmed up even clutch is low and there’s no noise when it’s cold , i am suspecting is it because of teeth. Can you explain if there’s a way to figure out correct amount of teeth, one thing I think extra tooth might give extra crank on less turn but if tooth shape will be different because of number of teeth, please help me to understand

[@razorraymond2258]

I bought a brand new starter and it also made this sound, what is the proplem

[@jerrawilliams6115]

I have a 97 s10 my starter went out and it started oneday and then it didn't and it made the same sound will it keep your engine from turning over

[@charlestiffany6736]

98 Honda accord same pre-start sound. But I physically have to rock the car and try to turn the key again then sometimes it will start with that be the fly wheel? Or is that still the starter? I can turn the key without rocking it with and same starter sound will continue to happen. I physically have to rock the car to get it to engage

[@carllemke4622]

I’ve got a 2006 Mitsubishi eclipse GT V6 when I turn the key it just makes a grinding sound starter is brand new could it be flex plate?

[@philtrottier4442]

This is the exact the noise I hear from my starter.An yes, the flywheel teeth are harder metal than the starter pinion teeth.

[@808wunda2]

Thank god

[@mangaanime17]

Aaahhh i screamed when you said fly wheel because both make similar noises to me, my neighbours corsa is doing this and she cant start her car up in the cold right now told her to get it Checked/replaced

[@angelisalive]

Would the noise get louder as you accelerate as well ?

[@tylermcgonigal6031]

Great video and info- thank you!

[@tylergilman5900]

I had same exact sound on my Impala. I replaced engine started car without belt and it started up and ran fine. Put belt on car and started it and got this sound. I found out that the wire from the wiring harness, alternator was shorting causing starter to be energized after engine was running. Repositioning cables corrected noise instantly.

[@hugoayala6472]

My started was very loose do you think that makes knocking noise

[@menardliamzon187]

Thanks for this video. You saved my wallet.

[@bluemoondiadochi]

THANK YOU!!!! i've had trouble with electric start on my scooter since i've bought it (i essentially only used kick start). i've opened up the bendix (thats the equivalent of the starter) but since i was just a pleb i couldnt diagnost anything than teeth being a BIT worn and otherwise it going well. And i had a whole odyssey trying to find the solution; changed the electric start motor, loked into electric circuit, etc. And mechanic doesnt know what it is LOL. 9.9 ok so it'll be just like with air leak; take stuff in my own hands and get it done. OK.

[@petestanton1945]

We call it a "glitch". A teeth grinding clenching glitch.

[@eryngobra]

Is it unhead of to have to replace a starter a year after replacing it again? Put new starter in last year. Today Starter problems again (sounded just like this car). Could anything be causing this starter to go out so fast? Mitsubishi Eclipse 2004 GST

[@JoeyTheNit]

Fly wheel needs replacing

[@RODALCO2007]

Great video, your diagnosis was correct. A tooth missing off the flywheel makes a clunking noise.

[@MerrittLangley]

Two minutes of "Let's listen to the noise. the noise makes this sound. Let's listen to the noise.. now remember it makes this sound so we're going to crank it and listen for the noise that it makes which again sounds like this, so we're going to crank it up and..." Juuuussstt doooooo iiiiiitttt

[@stephenscott2086]

+Merritt Langley Yeah it's probably better to just rapidly remove parts, then randomly replace them until it starts working again. Cheaper too.

[@MerrittLangley]

+Stephen Scott Not what I meant and you know it. I was whining, several months ago may I add, about the unnecessary amount of times he said what he was going to do before doing it, instead of just saying it once... maybe twice as a reminder... before starting the work. I never implied he shouldn't have said anything, or that anyone should just start removing parts randomly.

[@stephenscott2086]

+Merritt Langley Haha I understand. I'm currently in a whiny mood, my car having just stranded me...most likely because of a bad starter. Anyways, I'm sure we both have better things to do than fret about internet postings. Good luck with your vehicles.

[@MerrittLangley]

+Stephen Scott Thank you. I hope your no-start is inexpensive and doesn't take too much of your time.

[@goldenstreasures7974]

Marritt Langley I just saw this video for the first time and I agree with you 100%! And also I'd like to add my other feelings about this video, which was let's possibly continue to tear up the flywheel with this awful noise from the starter gear, so I can show you KZbinrs how much I "know" about how I treat my customers cars. not good advertisement for him if you ask me!

[@KingNidus]

I just bought a used F150 2001 and this happen to me immediately the next day. I changed the starter, the gear teeth on it was shiny silver indicating grind. I look inside the hole where my flywheel is (flexplate actually since I have an automatic transmission, Flywheels are in manual transmissions you guys) and the flexplate also is way more silver shiny than yours. I hope its not to the point where it damages all of my starters because its worn as bad. I will update in the future when someone replies to this comment. I changed the starter and alternator on 1/31/2022. Got the truck on 1/24/2022. Starter and alternator from amazon, $93.40 alternator (DB electrical ADR0035 135amp) , $69.25 starter (db electrical 410-14043)

[@madnessofmymind]

Mine makes this noise when I turn the car OFF. Still the starter?

[@TheEberlyFam]

My Tahoe has been making that zinging noise. It takes several tries to get it to start. Previous owner took it to a starter repair place & we just did well & it stated again! Im lost on what to tell em

[@domingodvs22]

Nice thank u

[@lesliew746]

what about a loud screech sometimes when you start it, just as u crank it lasts a second only

[@noir66146]

every bad mechanic : "fly wheel missing teeth. run you another 300 big ones, i'm afraid." reality: pinion.

[@danducati]

I had the zing before starting issue, so had a new starter installed yesterday. At one point after taking it home I went to start it and the zing happened again. Could it then indeed be the flywheel you think? I know you said it was rare, but... Thanks for the video!!!

[@SF_Curious]

My car was driving fine but with a loud sound! The mechanic said it was the “starter motor defective pinion gear” but car was driving I never has a problem starting it or sound increase on acceleration or de acceleration. You think the diagnosis was correct? Just a loud grinding sound with no engine light on dash!

[@BotMechanic]

Casa Tequila SF Im having the same issue with my Jeep currently... any idea what went wrong????

[@DetroitLions1984]

Had same problem with 1999 prism but did that once every couple weeks and at time it also didn’t want to turn over only on cold engine start

[@omaralnajm]

Is it worth fixing if car is 20 Years old ??

[@GeloNegron]

Thank you for being so smooth talking and knowledgable. I decided to walk away and regroup. KZbin’d Starter Whining and found your video. Your calm voice literally made me further go into thinking logical and not over stressing. I was like relax, take a breath, its okay, diagnose and be logical, its something silly and its gonna be all great. You’ll be driving and enjoy your the hard work and money you put into your build. Ive been building my car, invested a lot of money into it and doing everything myself and its taken a little longer then expected to get things finalized with some random hiccups. Guess I was just a little overwhelmed considering other things happening in my life ATM and in the world. Rona, family, anxiety, government, business, etc. anyway, I love you man, God bless you, thanks again.

[@eugenegallagher9729]

Was wondering if anyone could help. I've a mitsubishi outlander 2007 had this noise a few months after I bought it so I replaced the starter then about a week later done the same thing (same brand) so I got another starter different brand and it was going good for a few months now its doing the same again. Can't be no way my jeep messed up 2 brand new starters I a space of a few months.

[@gainingground6844]

My noise was at 1:57 . Took a while but thanks guys!

[@existentialvoid]

Fantastic. From a collage teacher, you should teach!

[@email4arthur]

My old starter started out with a clunky sound that lasted for a week before finally failing with the dreaded high pitched whine. I installed a new starter. I can hear that clunk in this one as well. Of course I believe this will cause the new one to fail. What do you think it is if it is almost never the Fly Wheel?

[@Woahbo]

My Honda accord 2003 is doing that right now. New starter and turns over but makes a knock sound before it starts. Sometimes even 3 knocks before it starts

[@khash7473]

Well explained

[@jessefoulk]

We are lucky manufacturers designed the starter pinion with a softer metal than the flywheel teeth. Easier to replace a starter than it is to remove engine just to replace the flywheel. Cheaper too