Test Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Did you review the Diagnostic Starting Point for Engine Electrical and perform the necessary inspections? If yes, go to next step. If no, see DIAGNOSTIC STARTING POINT - ENGINE ELECTRICAL .
- Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? If yes, see TESTING FOR INTERMITTENT AND POOR CONNECTIONS . If no, go to next step.
- 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.
- 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 7. If no, go to next step.
- When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid. If yes, go to 8. If no, go to step 7.
- Inspect the flywheel ring gear for the following:
- Chipped gear teeth
- Missing gear teeth
- Milled teeth
- 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 yes, go to step 10. If no, 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. Go to step 11.
- Replace the flywheel. See appropriate REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article in TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION.
- Replace the starter motor. See STARTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION.
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? If no, go back to step 3.