Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevymotocross · 11-14-2008, 12:48 AM

Leaving my friend's house late tonight, after watching the Jets vs Giants game, go to start my truck and it developed a horrible high pitched grinding noise when I start it. I know the starter has shims, but these were installed a year ago with great operation. 87 silverado 305

I haven't pulled it apart yet, it's very late and I have work tomarrow morning. Should I be safe driving to work? Is this a symptom of a starter just getting old? This sound just developed randomly. I did get under the truck when I parked it to make sure the starter wasn't loose, it is tight.

SkylineNXS · 11-14-2008, 01:34 AM

I had the exact same reaciton when i heard it the first time. I found that changing the tranny from park adn then back again, then trying to start it again always works. I still can't figure out why it does it....

BRAD

chevymotocross · 11-14-2008, 07:20 AM

Yea but it still makes the sound. I start it this morning, and it still has that horrible sound when turning over. Haven't looked at it yet but I don't think it could be a shimming issue. If it were, it would have been grinding all this year, not just suddenly.

I'm thinking hopefully just a starter going bad and not a bad flywheel.

thump16 · 11-14-2008, 07:53 AM

my mini starter went out and took my fly wheel with it. If it keeps grinding, inspect it before you do any more damage.

**old Rusty C10** · 11-14-2008, 09:58 AM

prolly the solenoid on the starter is getting bad.. thump is right youneed to get that starter out before you damage the flywheel ...

*78 Chevyrado* · 11-14-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old Rusty C10

prolly the solenoid on the starter is getting bad.. thump is right youneed to get that starter out before you damage the flywheel ...

x2. If the solenoid goes bad the gear won't engage fully, making a big racket.

ChaseDale3and8 · 11-14-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 78 Chevyrado

x2. If the solenoid goes bad the gear won't engage fully, making a big racket.

I agree. I've had this problem before as well. If you don't fix it now, you'll end up having to pull the tranny to replace the flywheel as well. ...Joe

chevymotocross · 11-14-2008, 07:26 PM

Picked up a Napa Premium starter. Mechanic friend of mine told me to stay away for Autozone, Pepboys, and Advance Auto starters. I inspected the flywheel, looks fine. Will be putting new starter in Sunday. Hopefully it solves to problem and I will let you guys know the results! Thanks

chevymotocross · 11-16-2008, 03:44 PM

New starter solved the problem. Thanks guys!

**old Rusty C10** · 11-16-2008, 08:36 PM

your firend is right abd out autozone and pep boys those idiots cant give you the right part properly rebuilt if their lives depended on it.. ive had no problem with autozone or napa but id do my best not to buy out of those other two
glad to hear it wall worked out

Hoods69BadBowTie · 11-17-2008, 08:36 AM

Thats good. I will be getting a new started on my truck next week or two mine is doing the same exact damn thing.

Red_69 · 11-17-2008, 09:34 AM

I'd almost guarantee the starter drive was cracked if there's no flywheel damage. What happens is when you engage the starter the solenoid pushes the drive out, then when the gears engage the resistance makes the drive skip and strip ove the internal gears. It happened in my Chevelle and had a local shop fix it.

Eyegore · 11-17-2008, 10:16 AM

My 454 was making a horrible grinding noise, removed the cover and found out the convert came loose. So check everything.

Tom

lurch115 · 11-18-2008, 01:21 AM

also look at the neralled part of the starter bolts...if they look like they have been smoothed out by the starter, replace them too....had a caprice that made the same noise and finally pin pointed it down to the starter bolts...

**BigTopGT** · 02-05-2021, 03:22 PM

Bringing this one back from the dead with a similar issue.

I've put 4 or 5 starters in this thing and it seems like I get about a month out of it before it gets weaker, starts grinding, and eventually stops working entirely.

I'm just not sure where else to look.

New starter
New 1 wire alternator
New battery

Still got 30 days out of it. (it was perfect for about 3 weeks, then started acting up. Now it's grinding loudly)

Help!!!! 😁 😁 😁

72c20customcamper · 02-05-2021, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigTopGT

Bringing this one back from the dead with a similar issue.

I've put 4 or 5 starters in this thing and it seems like I get about a month out of it before it gets weaker, starts grinding, and eventually stops working entirely.

I'm just not sure where else to look.

New starter
New 1 wire alternator
New battery

Still got 30 days out of it. (it was perfect for about 3 weeks, then started acting up. Now it's grinding loudly)

Help!!!! ��

I went with GBelectronics mini starter on my 72 . I had the same thing with rebuilds, shimmed the rebuilt and a few weeks later grinding and then just a clunk.

**BigTopGT** · 02-05-2021, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I went with GBelectronics mini starter on my 72 . I had the same thing with rebuilds, shimmed the rebuilt and a few weeks later grinding and then just a clunk.

The first 4 starters were Delco oem style starters for the truck. (350/350 auto)

Now I'm running a smaller starter out of a 2003 3500 with the 8.1 litre and I STILL only got a month out of it.

I'm not sure where else to look or what else I should change.

Could a short of some sort cause it?

A draw?

So not wanting a 6th starter....

72c20customcamper · 02-06-2021, 11:01 AM

I would look into the flexplate may be bent or missing teeth

**BigTopGT** · 02-06-2021, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72c20customcamper

I would look into the flexplate may be bent or missing teeth

Looking at it on the lift, everything looks fine.

It seems as if the starter isn't fully engaging, which keeps happening after a month or so.

11-14-2008, 12:48 AM	#1
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? Leaving my friend's house late tonight, after watching the Jets vs Giants game, go to start my truck and it developed a horrible high pitched grinding noise when I start it. I know the starter has shims, but these were installed a year ago with great operation. 87 silverado 305 I haven't pulled it apart yet, it's very late and I have work tomarrow morning. Should I be safe driving to work? Is this a symptom of a starter just getting old? This sound just developed randomly. I did get under the truck when I parked it to make sure the starter wasn't loose, it is tight. Last edited by chevymotocross; 11-14-2008 at 12:48 AM.

11-14-2008, 01:34 AM	#2
SkylineNXS Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 658	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? I had the exact same reaciton when i heard it the first time. I found that changing the tranny from park adn then back again, then trying to start it again always works. I still can't figure out why it does it.... BRAD __________________ 2000 GMC Sierra EXT Cab Short 4x4, finally mine... 1966 C10 SWB Fleet, 250 I6, three on the tree.... Previously Owned.... 1987 Chevy R10 "Silverado" (at least the badges were) Short Step 350 700r4.... 1972 Chevy LWB Fleet 350/350 EXTENDED CAB ALL THE WAY! .._..~...-...._...____ .._..-...______\|_\|__\____ ..-..~.\|_(O)__\|_\|__\|_(O)]

11-14-2008, 07:20 AM	#3
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? Yea but it still makes the sound. I start it this morning, and it still has that horrible sound when turning over. Haven't looked at it yet but I don't think it could be a shimming issue. If it were, it would have been grinding all this year, not just suddenly. I'm thinking hopefully just a starter going bad and not a bad flywheel.

11-14-2008, 07:53 AM	#4
thump16 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Valdosta GA Posts: 708	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? my mini starter went out and took my fly wheel with it. If it keeps grinding, inspect it before you do any more damage.

11-14-2008, 09:58 AM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? prolly the solenoid on the starter is getting bad.. thump is right youneed to get that starter out before you damage the flywheel ... __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-14-2008, 07:26 PM	#8
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? Picked up a Napa Premium starter. Mechanic friend of mine told me to stay away for Autozone, Pepboys, and Advance Auto starters. I inspected the flywheel, looks fine. Will be putting new starter in Sunday. Hopefully it solves to problem and I will let you guys know the results! Thanks

11-16-2008, 03:44 PM	#9
chevymotocross Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: East Haven, CT Posts: 882	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? New starter solved the problem. Thanks guys!

11-16-2008, 08:36 PM	#10
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,277	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? your firend is right abd out autozone and pep boys those idiots cant give you the right part properly rebuilt if their lives depended on it.. ive had no problem with autozone or napa but id do my best not to buy out of those other two glad to hear it wall worked out __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-17-2008, 08:36 AM	#11
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? Thats good. I will be getting a new started on my truck next week or two mine is doing the same exact damn thing. __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

11-17-2008, 09:34 AM	#12
Red_69 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: IL Posts: 160	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? I'd almost guarantee the starter drive was cracked if there's no flywheel damage. What happens is when you engage the starter the solenoid pushes the drive out, then when the gears engage the resistance makes the drive skip and strip ove the internal gears. It happened in my Chevelle and had a local shop fix it. __________________ 1986 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4X4

11-17-2008, 10:16 AM	#13
Eyegore What Hump? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New River AZ Posts: 2,009	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? My 454 was making a horrible grinding noise, removed the cover and found out the convert came loose. So check everything. Tom __________________ Lil red 86 c-10 99 Sub 78 Camper Special w/ 454

11-18-2008, 01:21 AM	#14
lurch115 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 722	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? also look at the neralled part of the starter bolts...if they look like they have been smoothed out by the starter, replace them too....had a caprice that made the same noise and finally pin pointed it down to the starter bolts... __________________ "Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you carry the wall with you." '84 chevy half ton short box 2wd, 67,000 actual miles '03 chevy 1500 HD crew cab 4x4 standard box, 6.0L

02-05-2021, 03:22 PM	#15
BigTopGT Active Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Posts: 101	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? Bringing this one back from the dead with a similar issue. I've put 4 or 5 starters in this thing and it seems like I get about a month out of it before it gets weaker, starts grinding, and eventually stops working entirely. I'm just not sure where else to look. New starter New 1 wire alternator New battery Still got 30 days out of it. (it was perfect for about 3 weeks, then started acting up. Now it's grinding loudly) Help!!!! 😁 😁 😁

02-06-2021, 11:01 AM	#18
72c20customcamper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Catskill Mountains,NY Posts: 8,300	Re: Truck suddenly making horrible starter grinding noise? I would look into the flexplate may be bent or missing teeth __________________ Mark 72 c20 custom camper Husky edition, 66 SS396 Chevelle 1964 Hawk, 63 Avanti,62 lark 1969 AMX , 1968 c20 stepside ,85 K20 1977 Suburban sold 68 anniversary.



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