Stranded at school when I need to get home. I've got an idea what is wrong but I'd like some opinions. Turn the key, hear not a grinding or tapping sound, but something in between. Got under the car, sounds like the starter is hitting something. Try to start it ten times and get the same sound, definitely coming from the starter/solenoid, or the general area. Put the car up with the scizzors jack that came with the car and slide under(not feeling too safe at this point).. exhaust is sitting on my chest, flywheel cover is pretty oily. Try to start the car again and nothing happens. What do you guys think? The starter is a remanufactured replacement that I got six months ago, the battery is two months old.

 

oh yeah.. I hit it with my torque wrench before it started not doing anything.. heh heh..

 

I was going to say hit it with a hammer, my brother had to do that to a couple of his old cars. I can't recall what it does though.

 

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i would also have said to hit with a hammer. i don't really know what else you could but get a rebiult starter and put it in.

 

Rez,

Your description of the noise has me thinking that the overrunning clutch on the starter gear may be slipping (Bendix). Unfortunately, there is only one way to repair that - take it out.

If you get under a car again without jack stands, I'll refuse to answer any more posts, and may fly out there myself and personally kick you in the āss for doing something so STUPID! It just isn't worth the risk.

Push the car onto a curb or over some ramps, or something - don't get under it supported only by a peice of crap jack that isn't really even suitable for changing a tire. You've been around here longer than that, and we all KNOW you know better.

Sorry for going off, but that's just a pet peeve of mine. Your headstone would look pretty dumb reading "He was changing his starter..."

 

Thanks for the concern, Vader. I won't go under there with that piece of junk again. I'm going to buy a real jack next week and pull the inspection cover off to see what's going on, then work from there.