For 1990-2009 cars

## Starter Noise Diagnosis 8.1L Only

### Diagnostic Aids

• | Inspect the flywheel ring gear for damage or unusual wear.

• | Shim the starter if applicable.

• | In order to add pinion to ring gear clearance a full size shim must be used. Do not shim only 1 starter mounting bolt. There are 3 shims available in different shapes. All are 1 mm (0.039 in) thick.

Step | Action | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Did you perform the Engine Electrical Diagnostic System Check? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Electrical
2 | Start the engine. Does the starter operate normally? | Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems | Go to Step 3
3 | Start the engine while listening to the starter motor turn. Is there a loud "whoop"--it may sound like a siren if the engine is revved while the starter is engaged--after the engine starts, but while the starter is still held in the engaged position? | Go to Step 6 | Go to Step 4
4 | Do you hear a "rumble", a "growl", or, in some cases, a "knock" as the starter is coasting down to a stop after starting the engine? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 5
5 | Important: This is often diagnosed as a starter drive gear hang-in or a weak solenoid. When the engine is cranked, do you hear a high-pitched whine after the engine cranks and starts normally? | Go to Step 8 | Go to Step 7
6 | Inspect the flywheel ring gear for the following:

• | Chipped gear teeth

• | Missing gear teeth

• | Milled teeth

Is the flywheel bent, or does it have damaged teeth?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

7 |

1. Remove the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement .
2. Inspect the starter motor bushings and clutch gear.

Does the clutch gear have chipped or milled teeth or worn bushings?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 9

8 | Shim the starter motor away from the flywheel by adding shims between the starter motor and the engine block one at a time. Flywheel runout may make this noise appear to be intermittent. Did you complete the repair? | Go to Step 11 | --
9 | Replace the flywheel. Refer to Engine Flywheel Replacement in Engine Mechanical-8.1L. Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 11 | --
10 | Replace the starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement? | Go to Step 11 | --
11 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition? | System OK | Go to Step 3