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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2001 >> Venture Base, Van Passenger >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 363 (Starting System) >> Diagnostic Information & Procedures >> Starter Motor Noisy >> Test Procedure

Test Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Montana and 2003 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Did you perform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check? If yes, go to next step. If no, see DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK - ENGINE ELECTRICAL .
  2. Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? If yes, see TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT & POOR CONNECTIONS . If no, go to next step.
  3. Start the engine while listening to the starter motor turn. Is there a loud "whoop", it may sound like a siren if the engine is revved while the starter is engaged after the engine starts, but while the starter is still held in the engaged position? If yes, go to step  6. If no, go to next step.
  4. Do you hear a "rumble", a "growl", or, in some cases, a "knock" as the starter is coasting down to a stop after starting the engine? If yes, go to step  7. If no, go to next step.
    NOTE: This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid.
  5. When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? If yes, go to step  8. If no, go to step  7.
  6. Inspect the flywheel ring gear for the following:
    • Chipped gear teeth
    • Missing gear teeth
    • Milled teeth
    Is the flywheel bent, or does it have damaged teeth? If yes, go to step  9. If no, go to step  10.
  7. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Replacement. Inspect the starter motor bushings and clutch gear. Does the clutch gear have chipped or milled teeth or worn bushings? If yes, go to step  10. If no, go to step  9.
  8. Shim the starter motor away from the flywheel by adding shims between the starter motor and the engine block one at a time. Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent. Go to step  11.
  9. Replace the flywheel. See AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article in A/T. Go to step  11.
  10. Replace the starter motor. See STARTER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
  11. Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If no, go back to step  3.
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