99 'burb grinding/no start

[Army_Wife]

Hello all,
I'm brand new here although I have read quite a few threads.

Okay, I have a 99 Suburban.

Problem: Last week the fuel pump went out.
Solution: Replaced it, fuel filter and fuel pump relay.

Problem: This week truck won't crank.
Solution: Replaced the starter.

New Problem:
Truck makes terrible metal clank sounds when trying to crank. Checked the flywheel, it has chipped teeth.

My starter is working, it's trying to turn over the motor.
Motor is frozen. Tried to turn manually (belt) won't budge.

Also, battery (which should be just fine) seems to be sluggish. Has been suggested there are loose cables inside the battery. I have never heard of this before. But, was also suggested battery is not the main problem. Charged the battery and still no crank, only terrible metal clank.

Truck worked just fine 3 days ago. Was only hard to crank. Was trying to start truck to go to part store when truck died last time. So, it did not freeze up while driving.

Any adivce would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all,
Sheri

[Army_Wife]

I just spoke with my Father and he suggested the following:

1. remove the starter
2. try to turn the crank shaft bolt with a wrench
3. if it will not turn "something is locking it up"

Sound about right?

Also, at the risk of sounding completely ignorant, which on this subject I mainly am, is the crank shaft bolt ON the starter?

Thanks again,
Sheri

[maxwedge]

Due respect here, based on your question you may be in over your head here. The crank bolt referred to is on the front of the c/shaft holding the pulley and damper on. if you cannot turn the engine over with a large breaker bar and socket, the engine is locked up.

[chuck's]

Your suburban wasn't making the loud clank sound before the starter was changed?Did the sound start when the starter was replaced?If the new starter came with two metal strips(starter shims),it could be possible that you need to install one or both shims between the starter and the flywheel housing.This moves the pinion drive on the starter further out from the flywheel.After removing the starter and cranking the engine over with the socket and breaker bar (if it does crank) check the flywheel that it is not broken.It could be possible that the clank sound you are hearing is the starter solenoid engaging and not turning the engine over.Observe the volt guage as you try to crank over the engine.If the needle dranaticly drops at the 9 volt mark or lower,I suggest that the battery get load tested.From what you have decribed these are the suggestions that I can offer.I hope this will help.
chuck's

[Army_Wife]

Thank you for your responses and advice.

Maxwedge, I think you may be right. I fear I may be in over my head. I was checking in my Hayne's manual and it sounds quite complicated. I have no fear or reluctance to do the work, I simply fear I may not have the physical strength required.

Chuck's, I did fail to mention that from time to time the engine did make the terrible clank when I tried to crank it before installing the new starter. But, it would turn over in the end.
My father asked the same thing about shims. However, the starter I purchased did not come with any. Also, there were no shims in place on the starter I removed.

I will all the suggestions. Thank you all for your advice.

Aargh, I so dread taking the truck into a mechanic. A good mechanic is hard enough to find and even more difficult when you are a female. (In the aspect of being fleeced.)

Thank you all,
Sheri

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by Army_Wife

Thank you for your responses and advice.

Maxwedge, I think you may be right. I fear I may be in over my head. I was checking in my Hayne's manual and it sounds quite complicated. I have no fear or reluctance to do the work, I simply fear I may not have the physical strength required.

Chuck's, I did fail to mention that from time to time the engine did make the terrible clank when I tried to crank it before installing the new starter. But, it would turn over in the end.
My father asked the same thing about shims. However, the starter I purchased did not come with any. Also, there were no shims in place on the starter I removed.

I will all the suggestions. Thank you all for your advice.

Aargh, I so dread taking the truck into a mechanic. A good mechanic is hard enough to find and even more difficult when you are a female. (In the aspect of being fleeced.)

Thank you all,
Sheri

Sheri, you sound like you know enough not to be BS'd, let us what the diagnosis is and how it was arrived at.

[Army_Wife]

Just wanted to post a quick update.

The problem turned out to be very simple to solve.
I hadn't installed the starter properly. It needed to be shimmed and the new starter had not come with one.

So, that was all.
Thanks to everyone for the advice.

Also, I will not have to worry about the 99 Burb anymore. We have moved up to an 06 Burb now.