When starting it it making a lot of noise from the starter

Tiny
DONALD1949
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 FORD RANGER
  • 90,000 MILES
It is a four wheel drive with a five speed and when I bought it the starter made a lot of grinding noise the owner said it had been doing that since he put a new flywheel clutch and starter in it. This was done last October. I bought it and now it just grindes when I go to start it. I had help and we put a new flywheel and starter in it and it still is very noisey when we start it. What is my problem? We put in a rebuilt starter and flywheelis there something we did wrong? I need some help with this problem we do not want to tear. Up the starter or the flywheel, we are not sure where to go now and we do not want to use it like this till we get the problem fixed. I hope someone else has had a simulair problem.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 AT 2:06 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
It probably has the wrong starter in it an disn'thitting the teeth of the flywheel correctly. It will tear the flywheel up again as wellas the starter if it's not fixed right. There has to be a certain distance between starter and flywheel. You might have to change the nosepiece or dirve assembly for the correct one.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 AT 2:18 PM
Tiny
GREGORY1961
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  • 2 POSTS
Are you referring to nose piece or drive assembly on the starter?
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Sunday, October 28th, 2018 AT 10:56 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,553 POSTS
The starter, this sounds like a poor quality rebuild. I would remove the starter to check the teeth of the flywheel if okay I would get a motorcraft starter motor from Amazon or Rockauto. Here it s guide to help walk you through the steps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

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Wednesday, October 31st, 2018 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
MIC_MASON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1990 FORD RANGER
I own a 1991 Ford Ranger 4. OL V6 2wd/ auto transmission extended cab with a 6 foot bed. W/ 98,000 original miles, I don't drive it much.

First, when I attempt to start my truck the starter grinds, I pulled the started took it to the auto shop and of course warrenty test shows no problems, so before buying a new starter I thought I would check other problems.

The starter makes a grinding noise; however, when I turn the engine over manually it engages, but the engine still makes a grinding sound it sometimes starts.

Second, My truck then will drive rough and shakes a little due to the engine then when I reach a stop sign where it stalls. I checked spark wires they are fine, spark plugs are new, but might need regapping, though I doubt that is the problem. I tried better fuel but to no use.

My grandfather thinks it is the starters clutch, a lowly $100 and ten min change for a new starter, they wont give me my warrenty for a new one. Conversely, I think that it could be my belt (the one that runs around the fly wheel alternator), or my vacumme. Or a combination.

I would like to get others professional opinions before I start to splurge the little money I don' thave left.

Thank you,
Mic Mason
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
If the starter is partially engaged to the flywheel while the truck is running, that could throw off the balance and make the truck run rough. Usually when the the starter is grinding, it's because it's loose.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIC_MASON
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
The truck is a V6 4.0L. I think that the starter is bad. But, I cannot mannually turn the engine over by hand. I can get it a quater of a turn. I was wondering if the compression builds up and this makes it difficult to manually turn an engine over? Or is there something wrong with the trucks engine.

Could removing the sparkplugs make turning the engine over if it is the compression?

Thank you for your responses.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CATCH_15
  • MECHANIC
  • 250 POSTS
Yes, compression would make the engine hard to turn. Try putting a breaker bar with the right size socket on the bolt that goes through the balancer and turn the engine like that. If it is on the compression stroke, the engine will be hard to turn. Removing the plugs would help let air out and make it easier.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SRSBT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Novice--My car is having trouble starting.
Makes noises then starts after a few tries
usually in the morning. Mechanic said over the
phone it sounds like the starter.
I would like to replace it myself.
I was told it ws easy but would also like to know
where it is located.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
All you have to do is to follow your big battery cables. One is screwed to your car chassis, and the other one to your starter.
I have a 1990 ranger with a manual transmission, and my starter is located a little bit on the right of the oil pan if your looking at it from underneath it.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMATHY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • FORD RANGER
I got a 89 ford ranger 4x4, 5 speed, 186 1337 km 2.9L v6. When I turn the key the starter grindes with the flywheel I can feel it in the shifter and won't turn over the engine, I have taking out the starter and tryed to test it but it won't work out of the engine. The gears on my starter seem in good shape and the flywheel gear looks good no chips or steel shavings the guy I got the truck from sayed it did that to him he changed the bendex(not sure what or were that is)but that would fix it for about a year. I put the starter back in it still grinds but was able to start the truck once. Any input on what is causing this would be greatly appriceated
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEFANGELA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The first thing I would be inclined to try is a new starter motor, as you can purchase one, check to see if it cures the problem, if not you can always return the starter and get your money back, so then you dont lose anything. If you find that that does not help then you may need to take a closer look at the flywheel teeth. Give these a try then come back to let me know, then I can maybe help you furhter. Good luck.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIMATHY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
New starter fixed it. Thanks for the help.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSHKAIH89
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
Ive changed the starter, col, sylenoid, and my starter is still grinding and having problems starting.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
What is grounding sound like? Is it like solenoid isn't releasing and continues to grind? Could be faulty ignition switch if so. Is it just grinding when starting engine up? May need shims adjusted or added.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KSHELL52
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1987 FORD RANGER
  • 2.9L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 186,000 MILES
Over the last 6 months my truck shut off when it got hot, checked starter and it was loose after replacing ignition control module, one brace on the starter had been broken off and it was sitting in crooked pretty much, once I tightened it up there was a loud grinding noise, replaced starter, same thing, attempted to shim it, still nothing. What could be wrong?
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check to see if flywheel is screwed up and starter drive
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KSHELL52
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Already have, both look fine, my auto tech teacher told me the spacer plate between starter and flywheel could be bent causing starter to go in to far.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
I doubt that besides if you shimmed it it would have taken care of it. Without seeing this not much I can suggest further.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KSHELL52
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Ok, thank you.
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)
Tiny
VTBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 FORD RANGER
Engine Mechanical problem
1987 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic

The truck has been hard to start. Sometimes the starter grinds and it recently broke the mounting right from the starter. It was a cheap Autozone replacement. Now I put another starter in and it grinds then the seluniod keeps burning out. Any help? Could timing be off?
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Sunday, August 18th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM (Merged)

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