starter is new

[andy36us2001]

I replaced the start because it was grinding like when the was already started but it wasn't. Was told that the starter need to be replaced, so we did that and now its still doing the samething but now it will not turn over at all. So what else could be wrong with it.

[Irish 12]

relay switch in the cylinder conected to the bat. needs replaced 4to 6 bucks

[Irish 12]

I looked at the box of the part it was the starter cilinoid it cost 4 to 6 bucks

[rmckenna]

I have a question on this topic also. My wifes 00 Expedition starter was also grinding every now and then, so I replaced it myself as I did not want her to get stuck somewhere. I replaced it with a new rebuilt $130 and the problem is still there. Every now and then about every 4th or 5th start, it grinds when I try to start it and then I turn the key back and try it again and its OK. I was told that the expedition flywheel only has three spots on the flywheel for the starter to engage. I do not know how true that is. I would like to know more about this cylinoid or rely replacement.

[alex.amsoil]

rmckenna,

It is most likely the flywheel. I had the same problem you describe on my wife's '00 Expy. I had read a post on cars.about.com which said that this sounded like a flywheel problem. So I took the starter off. (I don't know much about visually inspecting a starter -- it looked ok and it turns the engine over, so....)

So when I had the starter off I inspected the flywheel, and sure enough several teeth were ground down more than 1/2 through. This was in a couple of different sections of the flywheel -- the bad teeth cause the starter / flywheel teeth not to engage properly, thus causing the grinding sound.

My local mechanic, which I implicitly trust, recommended a shop (my mechanic doesn't deal w/ any transmission issues, & you have to drop the tranny to replace the flywheel). When I called the shop they said they had seen this flywheel problem on several Expy's, and on MANY Navigators (pretty much the same vehicle). So it is a common problem. He didn't see any causes or associated failures, other than possibly the starter going bad too -- but not always.

Look for a reputable shop you trust. The total cost, both parts and labor, to replace the flywheel should be less than $400 (dealer wanted ~ $1,000 ).

P.S. I ended up going to a NAPA AutoCare Service Station, for what it's worth (I have no affiliation whatsoever).