Starter problem

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Chrisman889

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I have a 1985 Suburban, and lately the starter sounds like it's skipping when I turn it over. Finally last night it makes a winding sound and doesn't start at all, but it sounds like the starter is turning. Do I need a new starter or is it just not engaging? What can I do?, it's now stranded on a country road with snow and a lot of mud.
 
The starter solenoid has failed. Best bet is to replace the complete starter but remove the old one first and have it bench tested to confirm the problem.
 
Sorry to hear about your vehicle. Sounds to me like the starter is bad. If you could get it out of the vehicle and get it tested that would tell you for sure.
I think these starters have a solenoid on them that tends to go bad. If it is I would recommend you go ahead and replace the entire starter and not just the solenoid......saying that, I'm not sure they only sell just the solenoid.
Hope this helps and good luck.
 
One of the starter bolts ended up being all the way loose and fell completely out. Thanks
 
Installed a new starter and worked fine for the first day. Now it's grinding at some points during the starting process. I have no shims in it, do I need to put some in? I was under the impression that putting the shims and what pull the gear further away from the flywheel. It sounds like it's not getting close enough to the teeth on the flywheel. Do I need to shim it or shim just one side?
 
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Most aftermarket starters come with shims, or at least used to when I worked for Autozone and Advance. They also came with a spacing tool so you'd know how many shims to install for proper clearance. Sounds like that's what you need, or you stripped the bendix in it and need to replace it, or the entire starter.
 
You should be able to insert a 1/8" drill bit between the teeth of the ring gear and the shaft that the bendix extends on.
 
Thanks Zora. I didn't remember what diameter the spacing tool was. It's shaped in an L so you have something to hold onto while checking the spacing.
 
Yes, if they give you a 1/8" allen key it will be an "L"
 
Back when I sold auto parts, it wasn't an allen wrench per se, Zora, but it was a 1/8" L shaped round piece.
 
havent seen that, thanks
 
I ended up having to put all 3 shims in the starter and still it grinds and knocks ever so often. I can't see any damage to the fly wheel. I just wonder why it is so difficult to start. It has been cold here about 14 degrees on average but it just seems like it's super slow to start, like it's binded somehow. Any ideas?
 
Did you rotate the flywheel 360 degrees to look for damage? Did the loose starter break the bolt holes on the block or does the starter still tighten up snug? Maybe your battery is just weak and doesn't have the juice to turn a frigid engine over properly. What weight oil are you using?
 
I use 10w30 and the starter snugs up good I'm not sure how to turn the flywheel.
 
Chrisman889 said:
I use 10w30 and the starter snugs up good I'm not sure how to turn the flywheel.
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There is a lever tool that grabs the teeth and lets you muscle the engine cycle. Or you can bump the switch and rotate it a little that way. Or you can put a socket on the crankshaft bolt and turn it. These are all easier if the plugs are out to relieve the compression.
 
Did you replace the missing bolt with the correct starter type bolt, you can not use any old hardware store bolt.
 
If the flywheel is damaged or bent what are some symptoms? besides the occasional grinding sound during start up. Would it cause the engine to idle rough or shake real bad?
 
The teeth would be damaged and it would not cause shaking unless you have other issues.
 
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