Starter not engaging,but not all the time! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Nickelcharlie · 03-11-2019, 10:33 AM

Is my starter going bad or do I have a bad spot on my flywheel?
Sometimes, not always when I try to start my truck the starter will whine but not engage. Second try usually will start the truck. I guess if teeth were missing on the flywheel it might not ever engage unless the flywheel was rotated some, is this right? Thanks inadvance!

**mongocanfly** · 03-11-2019, 11:23 AM

Bendix is bad most likely...

rpmerf · 03-11-2019, 11:48 AM

If the starter spins, but doesn't engage the flywheel, the gear is not popping out.

If it grinds really bad, I would look at the flywheel and spacing.

Big Moose · 03-11-2019, 02:56 PM

as mongo said, your Bendix is going bad

bigdaddy4x4 · 03-11-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelcharlie

Is my starter going bad or do I have a bad spot on my flywheel?
Sometimes, not always when I try to start my truck the starter will whine but not engage. Second try usually will start the truck. I guess if teeth were missing on the flywheel it might not ever engage unless the flywheel was rotated some, is this right? Thanks inadvance!

yes your starter is getting ready to go .they are not to bad to change out and cheap just don't strip the 2 block mounting bolts

Nickelcharlie · 03-12-2019, 02:04 PM

Thank you mongocanfly, rpmerf, Big Moose, and bigdaddy4X4. I am off to get a replacement starter.

**kidatheart** · 03-12-2019, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickelcharlie

Thank you mongocanfly, rpmerf, Big Moose, and bigdaddy4X4. I am off to get a replacement starter.

This is just my opinion, but if I have a starter on a vehicle that seems to "fit" good, as in sounds good when starting(when it works) and doesn't grind-sounds like it meshes good with the flexplate or flywheel, I would rather rebuild or have rebuilt the starter I have rather than getting a different one. I have had too many problems with replacements need shimmed to get them to sound right when starting....It can be a real pain to get them right.

**hatzie** · 03-13-2019, 10:52 AM

I would keep your old starter even if you get a re-built unit. The Chinese crap has poisoned the supply chain to the point that even an otherwise quality reman unit may not fit properly.

You can usually get yours re-built locally so you end up with a starter that actually fits.

Honest Bob · 03-13-2019, 05:37 PM

Mine did that for a while and eventually started engaging but not disengaging, had to pull the battery cable off to get it to stop cranking.

I had luck taking the starter apart and turning all the contacts inside around to a fresh side (they were reversible in my starter).

03-11-2019, 10:33 AM	#1
Nickelcharlie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Cleburne, Texas Posts: 83	Starter not engaging,but not all the time! Is my starter going bad or do I have a bad spot on my flywheel? Sometimes, not always when I try to start my truck the starter will whine but not engage. Second try usually will start the truck. I guess if teeth were missing on the flywheel it might not ever engage unless the flywheel was rotated some, is this right? Thanks inadvance!

03-11-2019, 11:23 AM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,671	Re: Starter not engaging,but not all the time! Bendix is bad most likely... __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

03-11-2019, 11:48 AM	#3
rpmerf Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 1,024	Re: Starter not engaging,but not all the time! If the starter spins, but doesn't engage the flywheel, the gear is not popping out. If it grinds really bad, I would look at the flywheel and spacing. __________________ 1970 C20 Custom Camper - 350, TH350 1997 GMC Suburban 1994 Acura Integra GSR 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z

03-11-2019, 02:56 PM	#4
Big Moose Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Alberta Posts: 71	Re: Starter not engaging,but not all the time! as mongo said, your Bendix is going bad

03-12-2019, 02:04 PM	#6
Nickelcharlie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Cleburne, Texas Posts: 83	Re: Starter not engaging,but not all the time! Thank you mongocanfly, rpmerf, Big Moose, and bigdaddy4X4. I am off to get a replacement starter.

03-13-2019, 10:52 AM	#8
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Starter not engaging,but not all the time! I would keep your old starter even if you get a re-built unit. The Chinese crap has poisoned the supply chain to the point that even an otherwise quality reman unit may not fit properly. You can usually get yours re-built locally so you end up with a starter that actually fits. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

03-13-2019, 05:37 PM	#9
Honest Bob Registered User Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Easton PA Posts: 219	Re: Starter not engaging,but not all the time! Mine did that for a while and eventually started engaging but not disengaging, had to pull the battery cable off to get it to stop cranking. I had luck taking the starter apart and turning all the contacts inside around to a fresh side (they were reversible in my starter). __________________ 1975 GMC C35 - Junk yard survivor. 1986 Pampered Private - M1009

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