When starting the car, the start grinds?

Tiny
SANCHEZ555
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 HYUNDAI SONATA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 210,000 MILES
Whenever I start the car, the starter grinds, my dad thought it was just the starter and just replacing the starter. I learned that it could be the flywheel teeth. What are the other components are connected to the flywheel as well as to see if those components are damaged what parts/tools that I may need to fix it.
Friday, June 9th, 2023 AT 10:04 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
BRENDON S
  • MECHANIC
  • 653 POSTS
Good morning, SANCHEZ555,

Normally it's the starter that causes the issue. Sometimes it won't disengage fully when the vehicle starts, causing the grinding. Starter misalignment will cause this issue as well. Unfortunately, a lot of times it will ruin the teeth on the flywheel and the grinding will continue even after the started is replaced. How were the teeth on the starter when you took it out?

The first thing I would do is check the teeth on the flywheel and make sure they are not damaged and that the teeth on the starter gear is meshing with the teeth on the flywheel completely. You may need to remove the starter to get a good look at the flywheel.

I have added a picture of a tool to help you turn the flywheel, but a small pry bar will work too.

When you remove the starter, I would make a mark on the flywheel so you will know you have turned it a complete 360 degrees. Also removing your spark plugs will help you turn the motor a lot easier while checking the flywheel.

Be careful turning it cause these tools can slip easily and damage the flywheel.

I am also adding some examples of what to look for on the flywheel as well as a diagram of how the starter gear and flywheel should align.

Let me know what you find, and we can go from there. If you can take some pictures as well of the flywheel and starter installed and their teeth that will help.

Thank you,
Brendon
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, June 10th, 2023 AT 5:54 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links