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

Are you referring to nose piece or drive assembly on the starter?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

New starter fixed it. Thanks for the help.

Ive changed the starter, col, sylenoid, and my starter is still grinding and having problems starting.

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?

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.

Ok, thank you.

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?