Hey everybody. Today my starter started making an intermittent grinding noise.

I took the starter off to inspect the flywheel teeth and the teeth are there and it looks like the front of the flywheel teeth are partially getting ground. Looks like the vary early stage of something that could turn into a bigger problem.

I want to fix this before it becomes a big problem like replacing the flywheel.

Wonder why randomly the starter is grinding? It starts the truck but it'll sound normal...normal...then grind. Every start it will grind.

Maybe the starter is the issue like the solnoid not popping out all the way?

Any tips? Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum

What year and engine?

Grinding can just be the starter motor and/or its alignment
There is a Block Plate, the thin metal piece between engine and bellhousing, this plate is there to Align the starter motor with ring gear(flywheel)

It can get left off or just wear out if starter motor was not tighten down correctly and could shift around when starting engine

Check the starter bolts for tightness, loosen them a bit and see if starter can shift around, not a good sign if it can

Depending on the year and engine there can be specific things to look for or do to stop the grinding

 

It's a 93 4.0 with a4ld trans.

I'll check the alignment. The bolts were tight when I inspected. I'll do some more checking and report back. Thanks!

 

Never really a common issue with the 4.0l Rangers, of any year, so most likely a worn out starter

The 2.8l and 2.9l did have starter grinding issues

 

Got a new starter. Still making grinding noise. Slightly different noise but still grinding some. There's no movement movement when I loosen the bolts.

Any suggestions? Or procedure for diagnostics?

Flexplate

 

If it were me, id check the following next:

1. Bellhousing of the transmission for cracks, esp near the mounting of the starter.
2. Verify correct starter was used (i cant remember if the manual transmission starter will even fit an automatic and barely work or not...). They both look somewhat similar to me by googling the pictures.
3. Flexplate trueness. Remove starter, spark plugs, and have friend turn engine crank pully bolt while your inspecting the flywheel make sure its true and not warped. ***At this time also inspect each tooth on the flexplate to make sure one is not totally marred up and causing the starter gear to get trashed***
4. Make sure starter is firmly seated when tightened down.
5. Call a preacher over and lay hands on the truck.