Starter Motor Noise
In order to correct starter motor noise during cranking, use the following procedure:
- If the complaint is similar to steps 1 or 3 in the table correction can be achieved by proper shimming as follows (vehicles are produced without shims from the factory):
Important: Do not shim 2.4L applications.
| 1.1. | Check the flywheel ring gear for damage - bent flywheel, unusual wear, etc. |
| 1.2. | Shim the starter as required: |
| • | Start noise during cranking: remove 1 - 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 inch). |
Step | Action | Value | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Do you hear a high pitched whine during cranking (before the engine fires) but the engine cranks and fires normally? | -- | ||
2 | Reduce the distance between the starter pinion and the flywheel. Has the noise stopped? | -- | System OK | -- |
3 | As the key is being released, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine fires? (The engine cranks and fires normally. This is often diagnosed as starter hang-in or a weak solenoid.) | -- | ||
4 | Increase the distance between the starter pinion and the flywheel. (Flywheel runout makes this appear to be intermittent.) Has the noise stopped? | -- | System OK | -- |
5 | Is there a loud "whoop" after the engine fires, but while the starter is still held engaged? (It may sound like a siren if the engine is revved while the starter is engaged.) | -- | ||
6 |
Has the noise stopped? | -- | System OK | -- |
7 | Do you hear a "rumble", a "growl", or, in severe cases, a "knock" as the starter is coasting down to a stop after starting the engine? | -- | System OK | |
8 |
Has the noise stopped? | -- | System OK | -- |
