Starting Trouble... Please Help

Hi, I got my starter changed today after it went out on me, but my car still wont start... It still sounds like the starter is bad. When my mechanic show me my old starter, the actual housing was almost completely broken in half. After he installed the new starter, it still made the same sssskkkkkiiiiirrrrrrtttttt noise. That is the best I can describe, but I am sure you guys know what I am talking about. The guy that installed the starter, said something is wrong with my flywheel. He says it doesnt looked cracked or anything from the front, but something has to be wrong with it. Before he put the new starter on, it made the noise as soon as i tried to start it. After he put the new one on, it tries to start but seems like when it get to a certain point on the flywheel, it slips or something. Any help would be greatly appreciated. = )

Also, I have another problem, but nothing major I don't think. I got my water pump changed and the car runs alot cooler but the dash says its hot when I know its not. I think my dash is just reading wrong. Before I changed the water pump, if you were to touch my car after I was done driving it, it would burn the crap out of you. Now, the dash still says its hot, but the hood is actually cold, so I know it is not hot. Also, I noticed once that the gauge was in the redzone, so I immediately turned off the car. I immediately started the engine again but the temperature gauge was only half way. I felt the hood and sure enough it was not hot at all. I suspect that it is my dash going bad. What do you guys think? Also, I have gotten a new radiator, thermostat, and my mechanic bled the cooling system over 5 times because we both thought it was still getting hot. I have played with the dash several times, and no matter where the temperature gauge is when i cut the car off, it is never as hot as the dash says when i immediately restart the car. I dont give it any time to cool before I restart it, but the temperature is always way cooler once the car is restarted. Maybe someone has had the same problem?

Hi, I got my starter changed today after it went out on me, but my car still wont start... It still sounds like the starter is bad. When my mechanic show me my old starter, the actual housing was almost completely broken in half. After he installed the new starter, it still made the same sssskkkkkiiiiirrrrrrtttttt noise. That is the best I can describe, but I am sure you guys know what I am talking about. The guy that installed the starter, said something is wrong with my flywheel. He says it doesnt looked cracked or anything from the front, but something has to be wrong with it. Before he put the new starter on, it made the noise as soon as i tried to start it. After he put the new one on, it tries to start but seems like when it get to a certain point on the flywheel, it slips or something. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


sounds like your old starter broke some teeth off the flywheel, and you now have a dead spot
i had a similar problem, the case on my started cracked, but it fell out before it did any damage

sounds like your old starter broke some teeth off the flywheel, and you now have a dead spot
i had a similar problem, the case on my started cracked, but it fell out before it did any damage


that sucks... flywheel is only $40 but I know it will cost about $200 to put on if the transmission has to be dropped. One mechanic i use says he would have to drop my tranny to change the flywheel. While I am getting the flywheel changed, what else should I work on that is in that area?

The flexplate can often be changed on an older SBC without dropping the transmission. Unbolting the torque converter and sliding it back fully against the trans pump can allow enough room to remove the bolts and drop the flexplate out.

I have another problem also. I have had my entire cooling system done on my 95 9C1 and the car stays cool, but the temperature gauge seems to be getting stuck. Sometimes the needle goes into red, but the hood of my car is not hot like it used to be before i got the work done. The hood is cold, but the temp gauge is in the redzone. I think it is something with the needle because if the needle is in red and I immediately cut the car off and turn it back on, the needle only goes to halfway. My question is, do I have to replace my cluster or is there some way to stop the needle from malfuntioning?

:banghead: Just had to pay a $500 deposit to my mechanic :uhoh: . he says he thinks its the flywheel to and will have to drop the tranny to make sure. I trust his word as he has had the same shop for over 25 years (been in business longer but not sure how much longer). I am getting my tranny flushed, flywheel, getting my temp gauge checked, and front control arm bushings done and he requires a $500 deposit? He said it wont be over $1000 THANK GOD! I am tired of this car already and just bought it in June... but I love her already :grinyes: and doubt I will let her go even though I keep saying I am.

Don't have the transmission flushed if it has a lot of miles on it - or you might wind up pushing your car out of the roadway in the future.

My guess on your problems is

temperature sending unit
worn/stripped flexplate (this is actually the part that you are calling a 'flywheel').

Blue Bowtie - do they make a wrench to get the flexplate bolts off of the crank with the converter merely slid back? Seems that would be a PITA.

Don't have the transmission flushed if it has a lot of miles on it - or you might wind up pushing your car out of the roadway in the future.

My guess on your problems is

temperature sending unit
worn/stripped flexplate (this is actually the part that you are calling a 'flywheel').

Blue Bowtie - do they make a wrench to get the flexplate bolts off of the crank with the converter merely slid back? Seems that would be a PITA.

I dont know if there is a tool. I will just let my mechanic handle it. How much does a temperature sending unit cost? Well my tranny slips a little when changing into 2nd gear until it warms up, so think I need a filter change. I got the fluid changed in June and it stopped slipping until recently. When I got the fluid changed the first time, everywhere that I went, said they do not change the filter anymore, just flush out the old and in with the new. I think I need a new filter since I have only put about 3000 miles on it since the fluid change and it is already having the same problem. Another reason I want the pan dropped and filter changed is because the tip of my tranny dipstick broke and I know I need to get it out.

If you find a place that will not change the filter, move along to another place. Flushing is a lazy, and not completely effective method of changing the trans oil. It also does nothing to remove the sediment in the pan. You need to change the filter and pickup tube seal instead of simply pumping supposedly clean oil through the hydraulics. There are shops that will perform the proper service. Since the transmission is being removed, have them empty the torque converter while it's off. That way you'll get a complete drain and fill with your new filter.

FWIW, the standard offset (not necessarily angled) box wrench should get the bolts. It's not fun, but possible - At least on the older transmissions with an integral bell.

If you find a place that will not change the filter, move along to another place. Flushing is a lazy, and not completely effective method of changing the trans oil. It also does nothing to remove the sediment in the pan. You need to change the filter and pickup tube seal instead of simply pumping supposedly clean oil through the hydraulics. There are shops that will perform the proper service. Since the transmission is being removed, have them empty the torque converter while it's off. That way you'll get a complete drain and fill with your new filter.

FWIW, the standard offset (not necessarily angled) box wrench should get the bolts. It's not fun, but possible - At least on the older transmissions with an integral bell.

I'm glad someone see's it my way. It's like changing the oil without changing the oil filter... it defeats the purpose. He is one of the best mechanics in town and he gaurantees all of his work so I am not worried about him tearing up my tranny. I asked him to add some LUCAS to my tranny fluid. Do you think thats a good idea blue bowtie?

I'm glad someone see's it my way. It's like changing the oil without changing the oil filter... it defeats the purpose. He is one of the best mechanics in town and he gaurantees all of his work so I am not worried about him tearing up my tranny. I asked him to add some LUCAS to my tranny fluid. Do you think thats a good idea blue bowtie?

I'm not Blue Bowtie - however, NO - do NOT add that stuff unless you want to be pushing that car out of traffic again!