Clicking noise on start up

[sunster]

My sister has a '98 Malibu 3.1L that she says make a clicking noise while its cranking. The car always starts but hears click, click at the same time the starter is engaged. She has mentioned that the loudness of the clicking noise has varied as it is getting softer. The car is about 2 hours away so I can't diagnose without some help. Can someone confirm this sound like a solenoid and\or starter issue? If either, is it difficult to remove on a Malibu?

Thanks in advance.

[bcopeland]

If it clicks then she tries again and it starts, then it is the starter motor atsrting to fasil. If it clicks and starts all at once then it seems like something like I've never heard befoer.

[sunster]

Originally Posted by bcopeland

If it clicks then she tries again and it starts, then it is the starter motor atsrting to fasil. If it clicks and starts all at once then it seems like something like I've never heard befoer.

This is odd, she turns the key once and as it turns over she hears clicking noises just before the engine starts.

[bcopeland]

Yeah, real odd - unless the starter bendix is sticking in the flywheel

[sunster]

My sister was down this weekend, so I had a chance to look at the car. It was exactly what I decribed in the above post. After removing the starter I could see that the gear on the shaft has some play to it. I physically shoke the starter and I could hear something banging around. I picked up a remanurfacture piece and installed it. After reconnecting the battery, I noticed the feul guage was below the pin stop. I am not sure how it got there but I had to take the cluster apart and place the needle on the top side of the pin stop. While she was down, I figure it was time to change out the wires and plugs. No problem there other than the back three plugs were tight.