Mini starter problems - what's causing this?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 2
From: Obscurity's Armpit
Mini starter problems - what's causing this?
My original mini starter finally started going bad after 10 trouble-free years. It began with a grinding sound in traffic that turned out to be the Bendix somehow hitting the flywheel, normally at low speeds and under moderate acceleration. I basically babied it till I had a local Vette shop put another mini starter in. Within days it was doing the same thing. Also, the original starter may have damaged one or two areas on the flywheel 'cuz the new starter will occasionly take up to four tries before it engages.
Obviously I'll have to replace the flywheel, but why would a new starter drop the Bendix like the old worn-out one?
Enlighten me...
Obviously I'll have to replace the flywheel, but why would a new starter drop the Bendix like the old worn-out one?
Enlighten me...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I have an inherent distrust of shop workers. 
You need to learn how to look at a few things like:
1. Are any of the teeth bad on the flex/flywheel?
2. Pick the selenoid with a screw driver and see how much % of the starter teeth enguage.
3. The starter is bolted to the block with two verticle bolts. You have to install shims to space the starter up or down to get the maximum engaugement.
You need to learn how to look at a few things like:
1. Are any of the teeth bad on the flex/flywheel?
2. Pick the selenoid with a screw driver and see how much % of the starter teeth enguage.
3. The starter is bolted to the block with two verticle bolts. You have to install shims to space the starter up or down to get the maximum engaugement.
