Starter Issue

6382 Views 25 Replies 8 Participants Last post by vegasbaby, Dec 3, 2010

vegasbaby

Discussion Starter · Mar 27, 2010

Well at 105k, my starter finally failed on my 2003.
I had to get it towed to a Good Year/Pep Boys Auto Center. I know I know. Due to lack of tools, time and mechanic skills. I figured it was better than the dealer.
After 2 mornings there and 2 faulty starters plus $450, they still can't figure it out. It makes a weird noise when starting, but once its on its fine.

Is it possible that they are mounting it wrong or could it seriously be 2 faulty starters?
I'm driving it now but it just sounds horrible when it starts.

They are ordering me another new one and I have to gop back and have it installed in a few days.

Any help?

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Dom.five

· #13 · Apr 23, 2010

Sounds like he put in the wrong starter to me.

Did you have the noise before the starter was changed? If not, you have the wrong starter in the car.

Dom

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Dom.five

· #17 · Apr 23, 2010

Have him put it back the way it was and get it out of there. They are supposed to inform you of any work they are going to do. Not just do it! I don't understand what the torque converter, would have to do with any of this. The flywheel, or the ring gear, yes. Those would be possibility's. Unless there is/was another issue you failed to tell us about, I don't see the converter as part of the starter issue. Elements are not known for issues with the torque converter, on top of it all.

Dom

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Dom.five

· #21 · Apr 24, 2010 (Edited)

Thanks Paul, Never had starter issues, so never looked that closely at the Element's configuration. That would explain the reason for different part numbers for M/T vs. A/T transmissions.

Ela-mental said:
So how exactly does this piece get damaged? Is it true that the ring gear can be damaged due to a faulty or dead starter?

Yes, Faulty starters. But you would hear it grinding when you turned the Key. Or you would hear the noise after you release the key, if the return spring did not work. A dead starter, does not work at all, so it can't cause damage.

If you were not hearing it grind when starting, then I would look at the new starter.

The wrong starter can also cause damage to the teeth.

Dom

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