new starter grinding noise no crank

1995 CADILLAC DEVILLE
138,000 MILES
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THINKIN_THOWED
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bought new starter installed it and all day it was fine now i wake up this morning and it makes an awful grinding sound almost like when u turn the key when already running but it wont crank
Nov 4, 2013 at 9:03 PM
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HMAC300
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it may be a bad starter drive which is part of the starter. or the flex plate teeth are worn off.
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:05 PM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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should I return the starter
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:31 PM
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HMAC300
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yes it's probably a rebuilt unit and the drive wasn't replaced but auto parts aren't going to know that. they will test it and see it's good but will wonder just tell them the starter drive is out. that is the gear on the end of it.
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:35 PM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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Does the starter have to be adjusted or configured becase all I did was drop the old one put the new one in some1 mentioned I need spacers or shims
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:47 PM
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HMAC300
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yes you probably will auto parts have them. I thought this was a northstar engine. you wont' have to pull the starter get the shims and they should have instructions with them one bolt of starter may have to be removed as the inside part of shim is a slot. sorry.
Nov 4, 2013 at 10:51 PM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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Yea its not the Northstar I like that about this model, Thank you will try that
Nov 4, 2013 at 11:02 PM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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Now that I did that it clicks a few times before cranking
Nov 5, 2013 at 11:06 PM
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HMAC300
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check for loose connections.either at battery or starter.
Nov 5, 2013 at 11:09 PM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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OK so I noticed that the negative cable was melted to the battery
Nov 5, 2013 at 11:45 PM
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HMAC300
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check the battery to make sure it's ok then replace the cable you should have one to the engine and one to the body from the negative side. I guess you didn' t disconnect eh battery when you pulled the starter.
Nov 6, 2013 at 12:04 AM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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Could a bad park neutral switch be causing my problem
Nov 6, 2013 at 10:40 AM
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HMAC300
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it could as well as a starter relay but if starter itself is clicking then no it's not the problem . are you sure you have set it up correctly with the shims? Is it getting battery voltage to the starter even when not trying to start? did you replace the negative cable since it was burnt up?
Nov 6, 2013 at 9:38 PM
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THINKIN_THOWED
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the shims fixed the grinding. I replaced the cable and after looking into another problem ive had since i got the car i found out the neutral safety switch was causing a Gear Indicator Fault.. its been bad for 4 years so today i tried wiggling the gear shifter and it fired up no clicking but its another $150 part this car is a piece of work who ever had the car b4 me did absolutely no maintenance on it.. its frustrating having to fix everything all at once
Nov 7, 2013 at 9:10 AM
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