93 Caprice Starting Problems

Hi, I have a 1993 Chevy Caprice with the 5.7L engine. When I turn the key on a cold start there is a loud grinding sound. The car won't start until I turn the key at least 3 times and then it will finally stay on. Once the car is started, there are no sounds and the car drives fine. If I have been driving the car and I turn it off and try to start it again, it still makes the grinding sound but not as loud as a cold start and it will usually start with just 1 turn of the key. If anyone knows what this problem could be, please let me know. Thanks.

Hi, I have a 1993 Chevy Caprice with the 5.7L engine. When I turn the key on a cold start there is a loud grinding sound. The car won't start until I turn the key at least 3 times and then it will finally stay on. Once the car is started, there are no sounds and the car drives fine. If I have been driving the car and I turn it off and try to start it again, it still makes the grinding sound but not as loud as a cold start and it will usually start with just 1 turn of the key. If anyone knows what this problem could be, please let me know. Thanks.

IS it a grinding sound from the starter or more of a rattling, grinding sound from the engine? If it's the former, throw some starter shims on that beast. If it's the latter, time for an engine rebuild (worn bearings).

It's called TBI fuel injection. I'd guess the noise you are hearing is the fuel pump running. TheTBI system allows fuel pressure to bleed off. So the pump must run for a few seconds to build up the pressure before it will start.

Try this, next time turn the key to ON and wait until the pump shuts off. then start the car.

Before you shim it, make sure the starter is tight. No sense changing the pinion depth if it doesn't need it. The block dimensions shouldn't have changed, and if it wasn't doing it before...

It has a switch to turn on the fuel pump and I always turn the key to ON and wait to hear the fuel pump turn on before I turn the key. The sound is more of a grinding sound coming from around the transmission. Do you guys think it might be the flywheel?

Ooooh... In that case, yes I'd say it's the started and the flyhweel not meshing correctly.
This happend when you turn the key to START?

Is that the original Starter? If so it might be going bad. I've had a situation where a re-manufactured starter was fine for 2 or 3 years of daily driving one morning it got loud. Dropped it down and took a look at it, the gear was able to move side to side about an 1/8". I'm not an expert but I decided that couldn't be good so I replaced it, problem solved.