Test D: Starter Motor Noise Diagnosis: Testing
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Buick Regal, 2003 Buick Century, 2002 Buick Regal, and 2002 Buick Century. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check for Engine Electrical? If so go to step 2 . If not, go to DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK (ENGINE ELECTRICAL) under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM.
- Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? If yes, testing for intermittent and poor connections in wiring systems. If not, go to 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 so, go to step 6 . If not, go to 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 so, go to step 7 . If not, go to step 5 .
- When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? If so, go to step 8 . If not, go to step 7 .
- Inspect the flywheel ring gear for chipped gear teeth, missing gear teeth or milled teeth Is the flywheel bent, or does it have damaged teeth? If so, go to step 9 . If not, go to step 10 .
- Remove the starter motor. See STARTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect the starter motor bushings and clutch gear. Does the clutch gear have chipped or milled teeth or worn bushings? If so, go to step 10 . If not, go to step 9 .
- 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? If so, go to step 11 .
- Replace the flywheel. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.1L or Engine Flywheel Replacement in Engine Mechanical - 3.8L. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION - A/T article in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION. After repairs are complete, go to step 11 .
- Replace the starter motor. See STARTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. After repairs are complete, go to step 11 .
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If so, system OK. If not, go to step 3 .
CAUTION:
This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid.