Diagnostic Aids

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2002 GMC Savana Special, 2002 GMC Savana Camper Special, 2002 GMC Savana, 2002 Chevrolet RV Cutaway, and 2002 Chevrolet Cutaway. 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 if applicable.
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 3 shims available in different shapes (for clearance). All are 1 mm (0.039 in) thick.

If diagnostic system check was not performed, go to ENGINE ELECTRICAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM CHECK . If diagnostic system check was performed, go to next step.
Start engine. If starter operates normally, problem is intermittent. See INTERMITTENT OR POOR CONNECTIONS . If starter does not operate normally, go to next step.
Start engine while observing noise from starter motor. If a noise other than a loud, siren-like "whoop" sound is heard after engine starts, go to next step. If a loud, siren-like "whoop" sound is heard after engine starts, go to step 6 .
If a noise other than a "rumble", "growl" or "knock" sound is heard as starter is coasting to a stop after starting engine, go to next step. If a "rumble", "growl" or "knock" sound is heard as starter is coasting to a stop after starting engine, go to step 7 .
If a noise other than a high-pitched whine is heard while cranking engine, go to next step. If a high-pitched whine is heard while cranking engine, go to step 8 .
Inspect flywheel ring gear for chipped gear teeth, missing gear teeth and milled teeth. If flywheel is bent or has damaged teeth, go to step 9 . If flywheel is okay, go to step 10 .
Remove starter motor. See STARTER . Inspect starter motor bushings and clutch gear. If clutch gear has chipped or milled teeth, or worn bushings, go to step 10 . If clutch gear is okay, go to step 9 .

NOTE: Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent.

Shim starter away from flywheel by adding shims between starter motor and engine block one at a time. After repairs, go to step 11 .
Replace flywheel. After repairs, go to step 11 .
Replace starter motor. See STARTER . After repairs, go to next step.
Operate system to verify repair. If conditions were found and corrected, system is okay. If condition was not found, go to step 3 .