Jeep Maintenance Question

[cesna250]

I have a question for you car guys. My jeep makes a grinding noise when i try starting it up. It will do that about 3-4 times before it will finally start.

 

[Double T]

What is the question?

I imagine the starter is going out, but I do not have a jeep; nor am I a mechanic. I have had to beat on a starter to keep from being stranded once or twice.

 

[dhnorris]

sounds like missing teeth on the flywheel. this will get worse until it won't start, when that happens turn it a little using the fan belt until you get to a good part of the flywheel. Do not do this with the key ON.

 

[meyer4589]

Could be something with the flywheel or starter gears. Does it make any noise once its up and running?

 

[cesna250]

No once it starts it sounds fine. Just replaced the starter last month. Its a cherokee

 

[halfmileharry]

Teeth on the starter aren't meshing with the teeth on the flywheel. IT sometimes happens when you replace a starter.
OR...since you just replaced the starter it possibly could be coming loose. Make sure you've got it bolted down straight and secure.

 

[mcolford]

As mentioned either the starter is loose, or the flywheel has issues. Pull the starter and check it for damage....

 

[Kagnew]

No once it starts it sounds fine. Just replaced the starter last month. Its a cherokee

Did you replace the ring gear?

 

[Frosty]

Was the starter shimmed? Some are, some aren't, but if you don't get it in right it will cause problems.

 

[Glock4life]

Cesna250, dont know if it is to late to help, i hope you have got it figured out by now, but if not i might be able to help. i have a 87 that had the same problem(loud noise when cranking). My jeep has the automatic in it. it turned out to be the flywheel from my jeep was actually the same one as a 86 cj. The flywheel was put in from the factory. i changed it with the same type and my noise went away. i do know that the 87 had the solenoid located on the fire walls and in 88 they went to the solenoid on the starter design. i hope this helps. my noise was from the damaged flywheel. when i bought the flywheel they actually sold me the one for an 87 not the cj. this was the wrong one. when i put it back together i had the same loud cracking noise. i took it out and put the 86 flywheel in and everything was fine. In saying that i am thinking that your noise is coming from a wrong flywheel/starter combination.

 

[karl77]

could also be a bad bendix spring (applies the gear when it spins) is bad, have seen it on rebuilds before.

when in doubt, pull it and check the ring gear (and the drive it self).

 

[cesna250]

Cesna250, dont know if it is to late to help, i hope you have got it figured out by now, but if not i might be able to help. i have a 87 that had the same problem(loud noise when cranking). My jeep has the automatic in it. it turned out to be the flywheel from my jeep was actually the same one as a 86 cj. The flywheel was put in from the factory. i changed it with the same type and my noise went away. i do know that the 87 had the solenoid located on the fire walls and in 88 they went to the solenoid on the starter design. i hope this helps. my noise was from the damaged flywheel. when i bought the flywheel they actually sold me the one for an 87 not the cj. this was the wrong one. when i put it back together i had the same loud cracking noise. i took it out and put the 86 flywheel in and everything was fine. In saying that i am thinking that your noise is coming from a wrong flywheel/starter combination.

You are exactly right. I had it checked out today and its the flywheel. It wont be a cheap job but i'll probably get it done next week. Thanks for your advice everybody!

 

[mcolford]

You are exactly right. I had it checked out today and its the flywheel. It wont be a cheap job but i'll probably get it done next week. Thanks for your advice everybody!

Seperating the engine and trans SUCKED on my 02 Grand Cherokee.... I kept my old flywheel off the old engine, just in case...

Sucks about the expensive repair, but it could have been worse.