Joe,
If you are really hearing a grinding noise when you activate the starter,
then it could be a problem with worn teeth on the flywheel ring gear or the
starter pinion gear. If you're lucky the problem is with the pinion gear,
since you make it sound like its intermittent, and after it happens once the
pinion settles in a new position before you try again. After a few tries it
finally catches. But I wouldnt be surprised if the ring gear is worn also.
If you remove the starter you should be able to look at the flywheel while
turning the engine by hand and assess the wear on the ring gear. Of course
once the starter is out you'll be able to get a look at the pinion gear and
see what kind of shape its in as well. Do it soon, otherwise a bad pinion
gear will only chew up the ring gear even more.
The solenoid is an electromagnetic device that activates when you turn the
key to the start position. It does two things actually. First, it slides
the pinion gear out on the starter motor shaft until it hits the ring gear.
After the solenoid shaft is pulled in, it then closes a set of relay
contacts that closes the circuit between the battery and starter motor,
causing the starter motor to turn the flywheel. After you return the key to
the on position, the current to the motor stops and the ring gear retracts
into the starter motor case. Hope this helps.
John Lumia - 1976 TR6
Joe Merone writes:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
All of this talk about starter solenoids has gotten me
thinking about a problem I've been having with my 1974
TR6.
Here's the description: For some months now when I
first start my car I sometimes hear a horrible
grinding noise coming from the starter area. It
sounds like the gears are not meshing together like
they're supposed to. It's not steady and low level
but a fast, high pitched spinning noise that goes
right away. The car obviously does not turn over at
this time. After another hit or two of the key it
usually does not happen and the car turns over and
starts.
It's now getting more frequent and pronounced. Is
this the starter going bad or it something else? Just
what does the solenoid do anyway? Thanks.
Joe Merone
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