68 Cutlass 350 Rocket: New starter grinding in R,D,1,2
#1
68 Cutlass 350 Rocket: New starter grinding in R,D,1,2
My starter died a couple weeks ago and I replaced it with a reman high output starter from my local parts store. Everything went in easy and it work perfect for about 40-50 starts then I heard a really bad grinding noise all of a sudden while idling in traffic. It only happened in R, D, 1, 2
I pulled the starter and the flexplate teeth aren't damaged. I got another unit from a different supplier and it made a less dramic grind when I started it up. Removed it again and added a couple shims. Didn't hear anything when I started the car but about 3 minutes into moving it around I could hear a faint grind from the flywheel/starter again. Do I need keep adding more shims until I get the proper clearance? Not sure what happened here since it was working fine before.
both are a reman acdelco unit. I compared them to the one I pulled out and its the same as far as it looks.
I pulled the starter and the flexplate teeth aren't damaged. I got another unit from a different supplier and it made a less dramic grind when I started it up. Removed it again and added a couple shims. Didn't hear anything when I started the car but about 3 minutes into moving it around I could hear a faint grind from the flywheel/starter again. Do I need keep adding more shims until I get the proper clearance? Not sure what happened here since it was working fine before.
both are a reman acdelco unit. I compared them to the one I pulled out and its the same as far as it looks.
Last edited by yeahbuddy; June 21st, 2021 at 09:57 PM.
#3
Last edited by yeahbuddy; June 20th, 2021 at 09:39 PM.
#6
You need to see if the there is power on the purple wire to the starter all the time or if the starter is actually activated when making this noise. Check the clearance of the starter drive to flexplate.
#7
Does it sound like it's something w the starter and flexplate or could it be an issue with the transmission itself?
I will check the clearance as well.
Last edited by yeahbuddy; June 20th, 2021 at 09:53 PM.
#8
How do you know the grinding noise is from the starter?
Assuming that it is, the only way for a starter to make noise when it isn't engaged is that the starter drive is dragging and not fully retracting. Could be a burr on the starter shaft, could be a bad starter drive, could be a problem with the pole piece hanging up in the solenoid, could be a broken spring in the solenoid, could be a bad pivot mechanism on the pole piece.
Assuming that it is, the only way for a starter to make noise when it isn't engaged is that the starter drive is dragging and not fully retracting. Could be a burr on the starter shaft, could be a bad starter drive, could be a problem with the pole piece hanging up in the solenoid, could be a broken spring in the solenoid, could be a bad pivot mechanism on the pole piece.
#11
Watching/Listening to the video, along with your comments, my gut feeling says it's an alignment issue - but obviously it could be any of the above suggestions, as well. Just so we're on the same page, it 'appears' (watching the video) you have an automatic transmission (flex plate) as opposed to a manual transmission (flywheel). The fact you cannot hear grinding when either in Park or Neutral suggests the starter pinion gear teeth are retracting back into the starter along the bendix - at least you don't hear the grinding sound when the vehicle is not under load (e.g. in any gear). The sound only appears when you engage the transmission (as you stated). Watching the video there appears to be modest downwards movement of the entire engine & transmission once engaged in gear. This suggests, to me, it's an alignment issue. It's such a PITA to diagnose/address this issue; but, at any rate:
(1) Double-check to ensure you have the correct starter for your vehicle & the correct solenoid.
(2) Did the starter come with a new solenoid or are you using a different solenoid? It would 'appear' the solenoid is sufficient to retract the pinion gear back into the starter as you clearly have no grinding in either Park or Neutral, only when placed into gear.
(3) Did you use original starter bolts or replace starter bolts with new bolts? They should be 'starter' bolts. Did the new starter come w/ new starter bolts? Sounds like this wouldn't make a difference but starter bolts have a specific shank diameter and knurling to position the starter and keep it from moving while torque is applied & thereafter.
I'm more or less hedging on an alignment issue.
(1) Double-check to ensure you have the correct starter for your vehicle & the correct solenoid.
(2) Did the starter come with a new solenoid or are you using a different solenoid? It would 'appear' the solenoid is sufficient to retract the pinion gear back into the starter as you clearly have no grinding in either Park or Neutral, only when placed into gear.
(3) Did you use original starter bolts or replace starter bolts with new bolts? They should be 'starter' bolts. Did the new starter come w/ new starter bolts? Sounds like this wouldn't make a difference but starter bolts have a specific shank diameter and knurling to position the starter and keep it from moving while torque is applied & thereafter.
I'm more or less hedging on an alignment issue.
#13
I am just assuming it is related as that was the last part changed out 2 weeks ago and all the noise if coming directly from the flexplate area.
I will try that next. I was working by myself so it was hard to inspect while the car ran.
Yes, you got it correct. I only hear it when it engages into reverseor drive. The replacement I put on 2 weeks ago didn't have any issues at all and it started randomly while idling in traffic last week. The starter motor and solenoid are new. I used the original bolts but added a couple shims yesterday to try out.
I got rid of the Jet a Way 6 months ago and put in a built TH400 w shift kit.
I will try that next. I was working by myself so it was hard to inspect while the car ran.
Watching/Listening to the video, along with your comments, my gut feeling says it's an alignment issue - but obviously it could be any of the above suggestions, as well. Just so we're on the same page, it 'appears' (watching the video) you have an automatic transmission (flex plate) as opposed to a manual transmission (flywheel). The fact you cannot hear grinding when either in Park or Neutral suggests the starter pinion gear teeth are retracting back into the starter along the bendix - at least you don't hear the grinding sound when the vehicle is not under load (e.g. in any gear). The sound only appears when you engage the transmission (as you stated). Watching the video there appears to be modest downwards movement of the entire engine & transmission once engaged in gear. This suggests, to me, it's an alignment issue. It's such a PITA to diagnose/address this issue; but, at any rate:
(1) Double-check to ensure you have the correct starter for your vehicle & the correct solenoid.
(2) Did the starter come with a new solenoid or are you using a different solenoid? It would 'appear' the solenoid is sufficient to retract the pinion gear back into the starter as you clearly have no grinding in either Park or Neutral, only when placed into gear.
(3) Did you use original starter bolts or replace starter bolts with new bolts? They should be 'starter' bolts. Did the new starter come w/ new starter bolts? Sounds like this wouldn't make a difference but starter bolts have a specific shank diameter and knurling to position the starter and keep it from moving while torque is applied & thereafter.
I'm more or less hedging on an alignment issue.
(1) Double-check to ensure you have the correct starter for your vehicle & the correct solenoid.
(2) Did the starter come with a new solenoid or are you using a different solenoid? It would 'appear' the solenoid is sufficient to retract the pinion gear back into the starter as you clearly have no grinding in either Park or Neutral, only when placed into gear.
(3) Did you use original starter bolts or replace starter bolts with new bolts? They should be 'starter' bolts. Did the new starter come w/ new starter bolts? Sounds like this wouldn't make a difference but starter bolts have a specific shank diameter and knurling to position the starter and keep it from moving while torque is applied & thereafter.
I'm more or less hedging on an alignment issue.
I got rid of the Jet a Way 6 months ago and put in a built TH400 w shift kit.
#14
Couple more videos with the dust cover removed. Start is engaging properly. You guys think the flexplate is loose or the teeth are grinding against the starter housing?
Last edited by yeahbuddy; June 21st, 2021 at 09:59 PM.
#15
Sounds like transmission to me. Considering it's only doing it when you put it into gear. Is it was the starter or flex plate those would make noise all the time the only thing changing between park and drive is the redirection of fluid in the trans. Just my 2 cents.
Last edited by coppercutlass; June 21st, 2021 at 07:38 PM.
#16
Sounds like transmission to me. Considering it's only doing it when you put it into gear. Is it was the starter or flex plate those would make noise all the time the only thing changing between park and drive is the redirection of fluid in the trans. Just my 2 cents.
#18
Sounds like transmission to me. Considering it's only doing it when you put it into gear. Is it was the starter or flex plate those would make noise all the time the only thing changing between park and drive is the redirection of fluid in the trans. Just my 2 cents.
#19
I will check the flexplate bolts when I get a chance later this week. Its been 114 here during the day lately.
@oldcutlass Is there anyway we can move this thread to the transmission section in the meantime until I get everything looked over again. Maybe someone there has experience the exact issue?
@oldcutlass Is there anyway we can move this thread to the transmission section in the meantime until I get everything looked over again. Maybe someone there has experience the exact issue?
#20
You can loosen the tq. Converter and slide it back so it does not rest on the flex plate start it and see if it does the noise when In gear . As mentioned by vintage chief the torque converter is probably the culprit. It's the only component moving when the car is stationary but put into drive or reverse etc etc.
#21
You can loosen the tq. Converter and slide it back so it does not rest on the flex plate start it and see if it does the noise when In gear . As mentioned by vintage chief the torque converter is probably the culprit. It's the only component moving when the car is stationary but put into drive or reverse etc etc.
#22
You can loosen the tq. Converter and slide it back so it does not rest on the flex plate start it and see if it does the noise when In gear . As mentioned by vintage chief the torque converter is probably the culprit. It's the only component moving when the car is stationary but put into drive or reverse etc etc.
#23
Drop trans pan if you dont want to pull trans out. If it was mine I would do that. I would think metal would be inside. Internals or torque converter? If starter then metal shaving should be showing up or after shut off the starter shaft, gear drive would be red hot from spinning long term with no lubricate.
#25
But if there's no noise in Park and Neutral, then unbolting the converter means that it's always in "neutral" as far as the engine is concerned.
#26
I get where you are coming from but from a basic might as well just do it perspective it wouldn't hurt or kill much time. Just to see what happens. But again underload seems like torque converter to me unless the crankshaft has walked that much. Or when the converter was tightened up it pulled away from the splines which loosening up the converter would show you that. I have had to shim the converters before and actually asked about that here like 10 years ago.
#27
I get where you are coming from but from a basic might as well just do it perspective it wouldn't hurt or kill much time. Just to see what happens. But again underload seems like torque converter to me unless the crankshaft has walked that much. Or when the converter was tightened up it pulled away from the splines which loosening up the converter would show you that. I have had to shim the converters before and actually asked about that here like 10 years ago.
#29
It doesn't hurt, but it doesn't help either. It's just wasted effort. If you rev the engine and don't hear a noise, what does that prove? You aren't putting any load on the thrust bearing without the trans connected and in gear. As I said above, the only thing unbolting the converter does is that it lets you look at the flexplate for cracks.
#30
I discovered the grinding noise goes away when the car is moving. Putting it drive and letting roll down the street I didn't hear anything until I stopped then it slowly came back until I started moving again. Not sure if that points to anything.
Last edited by yeahbuddy; June 22nd, 2021 at 06:52 PM.
#31
(1) Does the noise occur during a heavy (loaded) take-off condition when the car is stopped? You don't need to perform a hole-shot and rotate the rear tires, but put it under some load when you take off & see if the noise appears during the heavily loaded take-off from idle and gradually disappears as you move into cruise.
(2) Have you tried to brake torque the engine/transmission when stopped to see if the noise appears? IOW, the noise appears at idle (in a stopped condition), then when you brake torque the engine/transmission (in a stopped condition) does the noise disappear as the RPM increases?
#32
I was going to more or less make this suggestion earlier in the thread as a test run to see if the noise occurred during certain run conditions - which you still may want to try.
(1) Does the noise occur during a heavy (loaded) take-off condition when the car is stopped? You don't need to perform a hole-shot and rotate the rear tires, but put it under some load when you take off & see if the noise appears during the heavily loaded take-off from idle and gradually disappears as you move into cruise.
(2) Have you tried to brake torque the engine/transmission when stopped to see if the noise appears? IOW, the noise appears at idle (in a stopped condition), then when you brake torque the engine/transmission (in a stopped condition) does the noise disappear as the RPM increases?
(1) Does the noise occur during a heavy (loaded) take-off condition when the car is stopped? You don't need to perform a hole-shot and rotate the rear tires, but put it under some load when you take off & see if the noise appears during the heavily loaded take-off from idle and gradually disappears as you move into cruise.
(2) Have you tried to brake torque the engine/transmission when stopped to see if the noise appears? IOW, the noise appears at idle (in a stopped condition), then when you brake torque the engine/transmission (in a stopped condition) does the noise disappear as the RPM increases?
It does not make any noise while under heavy load. The trans feels strong as it did and shifts fine. Check out the video below.
I have not tried to brake torque yet. Just discovered this a bit ago when I had a few min to test it out
#35
And, an additional test would be to achieve a speed of 35mph - 40mph and shift into neutral (coasting). Is there ANY difference in sound - even the slightest you can decipher? I can almost hear the slightest of grinding even when you were just barely rolling in your video - maybe it's just me, but I think I can hear a modest grinding which worsens as you approach a stop. How about the same type video but when you stop, place the transmission in either Neutral or Park so we can listen (since Park or Neutral there was no discernible noise).
#36
Known
Condition: Idle (Neutral/Park while stopped) = No Grinding
Condition: Idle (In Gear, Brakes applied while stopped) = Significant Grinding
Condition: Rolling Speed, In Gear (3mph-4mph) = No (Limited/If Any) Grinding
Condition: At Idle with Brake Torque Applied = ???? (Possible Outcome = As RPM increases during brake torque event, Grinding stops)
When you attached the TC to the Flexplate did you use Loctite? Did you use original bolts, new bolts, bolts from the TH400, torqued to specs? If no Loctite, marginal on torque specs or poor bolts the bolts may be loose.
Condition: Idle (Neutral/Park while stopped) = No Grinding
Condition: Idle (In Gear, Brakes applied while stopped) = Significant Grinding
Condition: Rolling Speed, In Gear (3mph-4mph) = No (Limited/If Any) Grinding
Condition: At Idle with Brake Torque Applied = ???? (Possible Outcome = As RPM increases during brake torque event, Grinding stops)
When you attached the TC to the Flexplate did you use Loctite? Did you use original bolts, new bolts, bolts from the TH400, torqued to specs? If no Loctite, marginal on torque specs or poor bolts the bolts may be loose.
#37
Known
Condition: Idle (Neutral/Park while stopped) = No Grinding
Condition: Idle (In Gear, Brakes applied while stopped) = Significant Grinding
Condition: Rolling Speed, In Gear (3mph-4mph) = No (Limited/If Any) Grinding
Condition: At Idle with Brake Torque Applied = ???? (Possible Outcome = As RPM increases during brake torque event, Grinding stops)
When you attached the TC to the Flexplate did you use Loctite? Did you use original bolts, new bolts, bolts from the TH400, torqued to specs? If no Loctite, marginal on torque specs or poor bolts the bolts may be loose.
Condition: Idle (Neutral/Park while stopped) = No Grinding
Condition: Idle (In Gear, Brakes applied while stopped) = Significant Grinding
Condition: Rolling Speed, In Gear (3mph-4mph) = No (Limited/If Any) Grinding
Condition: At Idle with Brake Torque Applied = ???? (Possible Outcome = As RPM increases during brake torque event, Grinding stops)
When you attached the TC to the Flexplate did you use Loctite? Did you use original bolts, new bolts, bolts from the TH400, torqued to specs? If no Loctite, marginal on torque specs or poor bolts the bolts may be loose.
#38
#40
So, the grinding sound completely disappears during a brake torque condition. IOW, with the left foot holding the brake, right foot increasing RPM, the grinding completely disappears. That is what I heard in the video. Is that what you can confirm, as well?