01 GC Sport Starter Problem or Not?

[drstroud]

Since the weather has become cooler, 30's-40's, it sounds like the starter has trouble disengaging. After it has warmed up, a few seconds to a minute or more, the sound goes away. Did the same last year, only it never laster more than a couple of seconds. Put a new starter in last night and the same problem is there after the car sat overnight. Any ideas or suggestions? It appears as long as the engine is warm, the there is no negative sound.

[drstroud]

It appears to be a bad bearing in the alternator. Will put a new one in tonight to the tune of $280.

[heintz]

My father has been haveing the same problem with 01 Caravan. He did put a new starter in this weekend and that did not solve the problem. It is going to be a process of elimination. It will do it wth the remote starting option also so it is not the ignition switch hanging up either. Please let me know if you find any thing out.
Thanks
Dean Heintz

Originally Posted by drstroud

Since the weather has become cooler, 30's-40's, it sounds like the starter has trouble disengaging. After it has warmed up, a few seconds to a minute or more, the sound goes away. Did the same last year, only it never laster more than a couple of seconds. Put a new starter in last night and the same problem is there after the car sat overnight. Any ideas or suggestions? It appears as long as the engine is warm, the there is no negative sound.

[drstroud]

Originally Posted by heintz

My father has been haveing the same problem with 01 Caravan. He did put a new starter in this weekend and that did not solve the problem. It is going to be a process of elimination. It will do it wth the remote starting option also so it is not the ignition switch hanging up either. Please let me know if you find any thing out.
Thanks
Dean Heintz

Check your power steering pump fluid resevoir. There are filters inside which become clogged. Our problem was solved after we replaced ours and used only MOPAR fluid. Dealer said the Valvoline I had used was too thick.

Tried starter - not he problem
Replaced the power steering pump - not the problem
Belt - not the problem
Fluid resevoir - replaced and problem solved

[HeadlessHorseman]

Originally Posted by drstroud

Since the weather has become cooler, 30's-40's, it sounds like the starter has trouble disengaging. After it has warmed up, a few seconds to a minute or more, the sound goes away. Did the same last year, only it never laster more than a couple of seconds. Put a new starter in last night and the same problem is there after the car sat overnight. Any ideas or suggestions? It appears as long as the engine is warm, the there is no negative sound.

I have heard that starters may need a shim between the starter and engine block to back off the pinion gear from the flywheel just a tad. If changing the starter didn't work, the sound could also be the idler pulley - mine made noise and I had to replace it. The only way to check the alternator and idler pulley bearings is to loosen or remove the serpentine belt so you can spin them by hand and see if they spin freely.