In order to correct starter motor noise during cranking, use the following procedure:
- If the complaint is similar to steps 3 or 5 in the table, correction can be achieved by proper shimming (vehicles are produced without shims from the factory) as follows:
- Check the flywheel ring gear for damage or a bent flywheel, unusual wear, etc.
- Shim the starter as required.
- Starter noise during cranking: remove one 0.015 inch double shim or add a single 0.015 inch shim to the outer bolt.
- High-pitched whine after engine starts: add 0.015 inch double shims until the noise disappears (not to exceed 0.045 in).
Important: Shimming is for 2.2 L only.
Step | Action | Yes | No | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check for starting and charging? | Go to Step 2 | |||||||
2 | Crank the engine. Does the starter operate normally? | Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections | Go to Step 3 | ||||||
3 | Do you hear a high pitched whine during cranking, before the engine starts, however the engine cranked and started normally? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 4 | ||||||
4 | (This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid.) As the ignition key is being turned, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 5 | ||||||
5 | Start the engine while listening to the starter motor turn. Is there a loud "whoop" (it may sound like a siren if the engine is revved while the starter is engaged) after the engine starts, but while the starter is still held in the engaged position? | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 6 | ||||||
6 | Do you hear a "rumble", a "growl", or, in some cases, a "knock" as the starter is coasting down to a stop after starting the engine? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 9 | ||||||
7 | Shim the starter motor towards the flywheel by adding shims on the outside, one at a time between the starter motor and the engine block. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | -- | ||||||
8 | Shim the starter motor away from the flywheel by adding shims on the inside, one at a time between the starter motor and the engine block. Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 13 | -- | ||||||
9 |
Does the clutch gear have chipped or milled teeth or worn bushings? | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 10 | ||||||
10 | Inspect the flywheel ring gear for the following:
Does the flywheel have damaged teeth or is bent? | Go to Step 11 | Go to Step 12 | ||||||
11 | Replace the flywheel. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement 2.2L or Engine Flywheel Replacement 2.4L in Engine Mechanical. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 13 | -- | ||||||
12 | Replace the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 13 | -- | ||||||
13 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3 |
