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Starter problem. Bendix staying engaged?

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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 03:45 AM
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Default Starter problem. Bendix staying engaged?

I was telling everyone the crazy noise at start up. It would go away if I reved the motor real high. I found some guys who thought it might be starter dragging.

Well tonight during trouble shooting it, I turned the key back to acc and car tried to shut off but it was like the starter was still turning over. Had to turn key and start car again then rev to the moon and it stopped.

Could the starter be staying energized somehow? I was under the impression it was the bendix physically stuck. Now I wonder if it's being energized somehow.

WHY WOULD A QUICK HIGH REV MAKE THE STARTER STOP BEING ENGAGED?

WHY WOULD YOU RUN 5 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, KILL ENGINE FOR 5 MINUTES AND IT FIRES RIGHT UP WITH NO EXTENDED STARTER ENGAGMENT??

I need to locate the TDR and fire the car up then turn key off and pull the relay and see if the car stops. Will report back on results from this.

Also I read it could be the ignition switch as well. If you TDR pulled does not stop the starter from being engaged then I will follow that route and report results.

Last edited by jonrobinson84; Aug 20, 2015 at 08:00 AM.
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 09:17 AM
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Found the TDR relay and swapped it with the one next to it and out a new relay from parts store on the relay that is not the TDR. Hopefully the car will start right up after work. I need to be spending my time fixing other things haha

Last edited by jonrobinson84; Aug 20, 2015 at 09:33 AM.
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 09:35 AM
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Instead of initially chasing after things like a TDR, have you got the car up in the air yet and checked the starter itself?
Things like missing/loose starter mounting bolts? Broken/cracked starter drive end housing (nose and mounting ears)? May even be a faulty/sticking solenoid.
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 09:38 AM
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No I have not. The 12 dollar part was much easier and less time consuming. Unfortunately I have to work with what I have available time wise. I have not had time to get car in the air but I did have time to swap the relays. Will narrow down my hunt regardless of order it was done haha I'm very glad you stopped by. I have seen every thread related to this issue resolved fed to by you. Good knowledge for sure!
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 06:03 PM
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Swapping relays did nothing for the sound. Upon further investigation the starter makes an odd sound as it starts and that sound just gets louder as the engine starts and runs. Will try and jack up in the morning and check the starter out as suggested in post above.
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Old Aug 20, 2015 | 11:37 PM
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I was talking to a friend and what he said made since. He said the starter only does what it's told. So how would it stay engaged unless it had a direct short in the starter. In that case wouldn't it be trying to start 24/7? He asked me to check the starter relay under the hood. Going to give that a go also in the morning.
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 01:08 AM
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Doesn't have to be a direct short in the starter itself. The solenoid makes the motor spin. The spinning motor makes the bendix engage the flywheel. If it is staying engaged, which is what you're describing sounds like, the issue is more than likely the bendix but could also be the solenoid.
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 02:46 AM
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But wouldn't the turning of the starter stop after I turned the key off? It keeps trying to turn the motor over.
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 02:53 AM
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Originally Posted by jonrobinson84
But wouldn't the turning of the starter stop after I turned the key off? It keeps trying to turn the motor over.
That would indicate a problem with the solenoid or upstream of it in the wiring or ignition switch.
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 09:16 AM
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The starters GM use connect one end of the solenoid plunger to a lever that moves the bendix out to engage the flywheel. Once the plunger has fully retraced, the opposite end pushes in the contact that connects the battery to the motor. So, a mechanical problem can cause the bendix to stay extended and if the plunger stays retracted enough the starter motor will also remain powered.

Last edited by lionelhutz; Aug 21, 2015 at 09:51 AM.
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
The starters GM use connect one end of the plunger to a lever that moves the bendix out to engage the flywheel. Once the plunger has fully retraced, the opposite end pushes in the contact that connects the battery to the motor. So, a mechanical problem can cause the bendix to stay extended and if the plunger stays retracted enough the starter motor will also remain powered.
About to change this starter. Hope what you described is the problem. I started and stopped the car a dozen times and now it's no longer getting stuck. The car sat for 3 years with 150 miles
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 09:48 AM
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another cause is if the starter teeth don't have enough clearance and they bind so it won't release, that's why you see some GM starters with shims under the starter head !!!!!!!
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by akapounder
another cause is if the starter teeth don't have enough clearance and they bind so it won't release, that's why you see some GM starters with shims under the starter head !!!!!!!

I didn't think these starters got shimmed
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by jonrobinson84
I didn't think these starters got shimmed
Ya, I have not seen one shimmed ether,was just saying ?????
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Old Aug 21, 2015 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by akapounder
another cause is if the starter teeth don't have enough clearance and they bind so it won't release, that's why you see some GM starters with shims under the starter head !!!!!!!
Commonly used on the old cast iron small block and big block motors, not the LSxs.

The precision casting and machining of the aluminum block LS motors (and newer cast iron LSx motors) as well as tighter design tolerances of the starter drive-end housing on the LS starters, pretty much eliminated that problem altogether.

Whenever I hear an old cast iron small block start up and I hear that characteristic, high-pitched, "shriek" sound, I always want to shout "SHIM THE STARTER!!!" That's the sound of starter drive teeth that are engaging the flywheel teeth waaay too tight.
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Old Oct 11, 2015 | 11:28 PM
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Jon,

Did you replace the starter? My 2001 is doing the same thing. Only on a cold start and a high rev or a temperature of around 120 will cause it to stop. The sound really does seem to be coming from the passenger's side of the engine below it.

Thanks,

Brian
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Old Oct 12, 2015 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by simmonsbrian
Jon,

Did you replace the starter? My 2001 is doing the same thing. Only on a cold start and a high rev or a temperature of around 120 will cause it to stop. The sound really does seem to be coming from the passenger's side of the engine below it.

Thanks,

Brian


Brian, it did fix the problem! Had to heat up a few bent exhaust flange bolts and replace, so be prepared.
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Old Oct 14, 2015 | 10:55 AM
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I had this happen too. It turned out to be the starter. I had to drop the exhaust to get it out, what a PITA! At least the problem is now solved...
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Old Oct 17, 2015 | 08:37 PM
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I'm also having starter problems,sounds like the starter kicks back when it starts and makes a clanging sound under moderate to hard acceleration. Getting ready to pull starter when time permits.Sure hope I don't find a broken block.
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Old Oct 19, 2015 | 10:15 AM
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that don't sound good
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