Diagnostic Aids
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Saturn Vue. 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.
- Stuck relays or other electrical problems may also cause the starter drive to remain engaged.
- 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 3 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 - Vehicle? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle |
| 2 | Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? |
Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections | 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. Refer to Diagnostic Aids In This Test. 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 flexplate. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement
for the 2.2L (L61) engine, or Engine Flywheel Replacement
for the 3.5L (L66) engine. Did you complete the replacement? |
Go to Step 11 | - |
| 10 | Replace the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement (2.2L (L61)) or Starter Motor Replacement (2.4L (LAT)) or Starter Motor Replacement (3.5L (L66)) . 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 |