Diagnostic Aids
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Inspect the flywheel ring gear for damage or unusual wear.
- Shim the starter as required.
- In order to add pinion to ring gear clearance a full size shim must be used. Do not shim only one starter mounting bolt. There are three shims available in different shapes, for clearance, all are 1 mm (0.039 in) thick.
Starter Motor Noise Diagnosis
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check for Engine Electrical? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical |
| 2 | Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? |
Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems | Go to Step 3 |
| 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? |
Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 4 |
| 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? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 5 |
| 5 |
IMPORTANT:
This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid. When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? |
Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 7 |
| 6 | Inspect the flywheel ring gear for the following:
Is the flywheel bent, or does it have damaged teeth? |
Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 10 |
| 7 |
|
Go to Step 10 | 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. Did you complete the repair? |
Go to Step 11 | - |
| 9 | Replace the flywheel. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement
in Engine Mechanical 5.7L. Did you complete the replacement? |
Go to Step 11 | - |
| 10 | Replace the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? |
Go to Step 11 | - |
| 11 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? |
System OK | Go to Step 3 |