jopez_89

Anyone ever installed a new starter and started grinding?

Just installed mine along with a new battery and jeep cranks super strong, almost too strong that it fires right up and grinds soon after.

Is it starting so fast that I'm not releasing the key soon and it grinds? It only does it for a split second after it starts up.

Is there some sort of "break in" period for a starter?

Or was it not installed right? I took my time and I'm pretty certain I installed it properly but it was my first starter.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

jopez_89

Bump

Fred/N0AZZ

Sounds like its hanging up and not releasing quickly enough if you bought it at a local parts store (I hope) return it and tell them what its doing. If it keeps it up the teeth on the flex plate could be damaged also, very bad and a much larger,expensive job.


For items like this always buy local!

jopez_89

It was bought local and has a lifetime warranty as long as I own the vehicle. It seems to be doing it less and less I've started the jeep about 5 times today and nothing. Maybe it did need a few starts to "loosen up" and start engaging/disengage properly. If it starts doing it again I'll probably end up returning it.

jopez_89

Yup, did it twice already looks like I'm gonna be doing the starter again. How long should I wait to see if it goes away or should I just do it now?

100kjeep

Having the same exact issue! First installed a new starter from Advance Auto, grinded (Bendix didn't release) so I returned it thinking it was defective. THEN bought a used OEM one from eBay and it's doing the same exact grinding after start! I then replaced the starter switch (needed it anyway) which did not fix the problem.

- Is it electrical?
- Bad battery cable to the starter?
- Does starter need shimming?
- Could the mounting bolts be installed in reverse? (The starter is snug though)

Help!

caged

you could try shimming the starter out. you can buy shims or simply make your own.

but i would just return that starter and try another.

XJ Mayhem

Like previously mentioned, you definitely don't want to keep using the starter because it can cause other more major issues. I'd pull it and replace it. I've had bad experiences with parts where it took getting up to three before I got a good one. It sucks but when buying aftermarket from chain parts stores, that's what we get sometimes. It still beats paying double or triple for OEM parts.

Someone with more experience with this starter issue could still chime in with an instant fix. Good luck.

Rising Fawn

Sounds like you need to add some shims to move the starter further away from the starter ring/flywheel. If the starter drives the starter gear too far into the starter ring, the teeth can become "hung" because of a misengagement. This can be caused by wear on the starter ring. It should eventually reconcile itself when both sets of teeth wear to fit each other. If it's really a problem, I would try a couple of thin flatwashers between the starter and bell housing. Just loosen both bolts slightly, remove one of the bolts, slide in a flatwasher and reinstall the bolt. Repeat this for the other bolt.

Google....Starter Grinding....there is a lot of information available.