attempting to start car it does not crank over?

2004 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

185,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

JACOB13579

MEMBER
1 POST

When attempting to start car it does not roll over just makes a loud vacuum/power drill noise. Almost as if something is spinning very fast. Deove home fine yesterday now wont work. Please help.

Nov 8, 2018 at 8:06 PM

SQM

✓Experienced Mechanic
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like the starter is probably spinning freely. As that is the noise a starter will make if it is not engaging.
This could be due to two scenarios. It could be that there is a broken tooth on the flywheel. So, when the starter drive extends it is unable to make contact with the fly wheel and spins freely.
Other possibly is that the starter drive is not engaging/extending. It is simply just spinning.

If there are broken teeth on the flywheel/flex plate, then that component needs to be replaced.
If the starter is not engaging, then the starter will have to be replaced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

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