1996 Ford Mustang grinding noise while cranking

RACE06

MEMBER
1996 FORD MUSTANG
V8
2WD
MANUAL
65,000 MILES

Mustang Cobra, new starter and battery installed. Car won't start but it cranks. When cranking, there is a loud grinding type noise and it appears it is coming from under the car behind the motor. I cranked it for about a minute several different times and it finally fired and ran fine, I shut it off and it makes the same grinding noise and won't start. Almost cranks like the timing is off while the noise is being made then when it did "catch" and start the noise stopped. What could this be? Flywheel, clutch, etc? Thank you.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

The flywheel or the starter drive pinion-

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Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 AT 1:19 PM

RACE06

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I had someone else try and start it so I could get a better look and possibly see/hear where the grinding noise was coming from.
I have noticed the engine will not turn over. The serpentine belt does not move. If I manually turn the motor over with a socket wrench, it eventually fires but the grinding noise persists during the cranking process. Could this be a timing belt issue?
I have worked on cars for some time but this noise is new to me.

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Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 AT 4:16 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

It eventually fires but the grinding noise persists during the cranking process. Could this be a timing belt issue?
I have worked on cars for some time but this noise is new to me.

If its the timing belt you'll hear it behind the serpentine belt. If if its coming from the back of the engine-again could be the flywheel or the starter.

Its sounds that when you manually turn the crank it catches the good spot on the flywheel that's why it turn over.

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Sunday, December 2nd, 2007 AT 10:23 PM

RACE06

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. I have seen flywheels crack before, but never make this type of noise. Is it common for these Mustangs, specifically the Cobra's for them to break? I have only had the car for 6-8 months and maybe put about 600 miles on it. Would a vibration be noticed when driving if the flywheel was coming apart? Thinking back, I did hear and feel a possible vibration under quick acceleration but it seemed to fade. I agree with you, that it is the flywheel, the noise is definitely in the back of the motor and it ran perfect when it did fire limiting the possibility of a broken timing belt. Thanks again for your help.

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Monday, December 3rd, 2007 AT 7:03 AM