1997 Pontiac Grand Am Starter

1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
120,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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BRANDON THOMAS
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  • 2 POSTS
Replaced the starter on car now it whines but wont engage. Starter tested good. What could be the problem?
Oct 5, 2010 at 9:01 PM
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JDL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 16,098 POSTS
If your saying the starter spins but doesn't engage the flywheel, did the old starter use shims? Does the starter kick out the pinion gear?
Oct 6, 2010 at 4:20 PM
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BRANDON THOMAS
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No the old starter did not have shims and yes the pinion gear kicks out. Took starter down to recheck wires and now the starters smokes and gets hot wires are not touching so i have no idea why this is happening. the starter doesnt do anything now but dran the battery.i
Oct 7, 2010 at 12:08 AM
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JDL
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 16,098 POSTS
Can you turn the engine crank by hand? Engine isn't froze? Have the starter tested. When you said the starter whines, my thought was the pinion gear wasn't engaging the flywheel, can you tell if it is engaging?
Oct 7, 2010 at 9:11 AM
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