Technical Odd mechanical noise- starter doesn't engage.

[Pikka Bird]

Hello fellas. I am experiencing an intermittent issue when trying to start my 2007 GP. Every now and then the starter won't engage but I can hear the following noise instead:



This will repeat a few times each time I turn the key, and then on the third or fourth try it'll spring back to life as if everything was fine. Is my starter dying?

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I'm sorry but I can't make your attachment work so I can't listen to your noise. However, just from the symptom you're describing, although it could be the starter motor failing or an electrical fault of some sort, another thing that can give exactly this symptom is when there is damage to the ring gear teeth on the flywheel - if so expect to see damage to the starter pinion gear teeth too. If it does it again, try putting the gearbox into top gear and push the car forward by about a foot or so. This will rotate the engine in it's normal direction of rotation (DOR) - It's good practice not to turn engines backwards - so a new section of the ring gear is opposite the starter and if you now try the starter it may work. This works because most engines will stop in one or other of two possible positions - roughly speaking it's when the pistons are all about halfway up/down the cylinders. So the starter pinion gear is always trying to engage with the flywheel ring gear in one of these two positions and that's where maximum wear takes place.

Possibly, but less likely from your description, is that the earth connection may be poor and this can be very easily checked by connecting one jump lead between the earth terminal on the battery and any solid metal part of the engine or gearbox. Doing this is like fitting a new earth cable. Be careful to arrange the cable so it can't get tangled in any rotating parts - like the fan belt and it's pulleys - or anything hot enough to burn through the cable insulation, although that won't cause an electrical problem - it's an earth connection - but it's better not to ruin your cable!

 

[GrandePunto PL]

Learn how to share files on Google Drive. Currently your file is not public (folks must request access, ask for permission).
Meanwhile, search older threads and YouTube (starter noises, all types, Fiat, then other brands/models).
Similar sound is probably out there, already diagnosed (there's no need to ask on forums).

 

[ZaphodB]

I'm sorry but I can't make your attachment work so I can't listen to your noise.

Me either , it's saying sign into your google account, whiich makes me think it's a local file.

Does it click ?
or whir ?

 

[varesecrazy]

On the Grande this sound is often heard when the Power Circuit to the starter is poor

The operation of the starter is :

1 spin
2 protrude

With poor power it can Spin acceptably, but fail to protrude enough to engage the ringgear,

So it doesn't physically turn the engine

 

[ZaphodB]

not enough inertia/ooomph to kick the bendix out

 

[Mike1alike]

You have improper/loose electrical connections to the starter and/or grounding.
Take a look at this and sort it out:

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

not enough inertia/ooomph to kick the bendix out

Hmm? This is a pre-engaged type starter we're talking about here, is it not? Doesn't rely on the motor kicking off to throw the pinion into mesh with the ring gear like the old inertial types did. It's engaged by the action of the solenoid which kicks it into mesh before the main current is applied to the main windings.

Of course it's all guess work but my guess is that it's going to be either a high resistance connection somewhere, the motor itself or maybe even the ignition switch? or worn ring gear. Just wish I could hear that recording he/she made.

Pikka Bird please do let us know what it turns out to be won't you.

 

[ZaphodB]

Hmm?

You say potato/pinion , I say Potarto/bendix

I meant not enough oomph to kick the pinion assembly out into engagement.

Could be low supply or poor connection to the solenoid, or even a shorted turns solenoid coil.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

You say potato/pinion , I say Potarto/bendix

I meant not enough oomph to kick the pinion assembly out into engagement.

Could be low supply or poor connection to the solenoid, or even a shorted turns solenoid coil.

Hopefully we'll all know soon. Still wish I could listen to it.

 

[Pikka Bird]

Learn how to share files on Google Drive. Currently your file is not public (folks must request access, ask for permission).
Meanwhile, search older threads and YouTube (starter noises, all types, Fiat, then other brands/models).
Similar sound is probably out there, already diagnosed (there's no need to ask on forums).

Pardon me, I was in a huge hurry yesterday and didn't immediately see where to set the permissions (it's been years since I had to share from my Drive and back then you set the permission when you created the link).

Anyway, I hope it's fixed now.

And I've searched for a while on various sites (including YouTube) and I haven't found anything that really matches the noise I'm getting.

Also, I put the probes on it, and there's no voltage drop.

 

[ZaphodB]

Anyway, I hope it's fixed now.

Still doesn't let people view/hear it

I've just tried it, logged into my google account, and it returns

403. That’s an error.

We're sorry, but you do not have access to this page. That’s all we know.

 

[GrandePunto PL]

Clearly, the OP doesn't cooperate. Where are the moderators? Erase this thread within next 24 hours if he refuses to reply/react.