Starter grinding

[David88]

I have a 1990 L plus with automatic trans. About 8 out of 10 start-ups are fine. 2 out of 10 the starter will fail to engage the flywheel and grind against it. When this happens usually the next attempt will be a good start with no grind. Usually but not always. I am about to go take the starter out to visually inspect it. Any thoughts as to the cause of this? Anyone ever have a similar problem on a Festy?

I'm hoping it not from the starter being crashed when the car was running. I've not done this, but it happens and I know it not good. I've put maybe 1500 miles on since I got it. Could it be just the starter? I really dont want to pull the motor/trans for the flex plate.

I just got the car on the ramps and started repeatedly until I achieved a bad start. My theory is if its a bad spot on the ring gear it will be in view of the starter hole. Wish me luck.

[David88]

Well here are some pics. Looks like I'll be replacing the starter and flywheel. Not fun.

[GenevaDirt]

ouch.....that sucks.....I would help if was closer. Good luck

[David88]

Thanks, I've never torn apart an automatic before. I guess I need to read up in the manual a little first. I'm hoping I don't need any special tools.

[GenevaDirt]

you pulling the engine or dropping it out the bottom?

[David88]

I was thinking about trying to drop the trans out the bottom. I've done that on a manual car before. I hope the is enough room for that with the torque converter. The auto is bigger and heavier. I do have a trans jack.

[hotfordcat]

Well here are some pics. Looks like I'll be replacing the starter and flywheel. Not fun.

Dave, you don't need to change the whole starter, just the bendix. Flywheel is another story. Good luck.

[GenevaDirt]

I was thinking about trying to drop the trans out the bottom. I've done that on a manual car before. I hope the is enough room for that with the torque converter. The auto is bigger and heavier. I do have a trans jack.

never tried to drop the tranny....but that jack will help a lot. As for the difference between the auto and manual I am not sure as far as the room goes.

[David88]

Dave, you don't need to change the whole starter, just the bendix. Flywheel is another story. Good luck.

That is good to know. Starters look to be expensive. There is an auto electric place in the phonebook here in town. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks alot.

[bhazard]

I would definitely fix your starter or get a used one. New is too expensive.

[David88]

never tried to drop the tranny....but that jack will help a lot. As for the difference between the auto and manual I am not sure as far as the room goes.

I did a clutch on a festy and droped the cradle and left the pass side top mount hooked up. I had the engine supported with a hoist of course. Lowered the motor just enough to pull it out under the driver side frame. I left the water and motor electrics hooked up. That was nice. It was tight though. Thinking about it now, I'll bet that stuff on top of the auto trans (that causes the stater to need to go in for the back) will be in the way of coming out the bottom.

[bhazard]

Yeah I pulled the motor and trans together out the top when I swapped autos. It looked way too big to go out the bottom.

[DrMaxwellEdison]

it does work to pull it out the bottom.... I just pulled the engine and transmission out the bottom in my parts car that I still have parts for sale from (Dave88 and I have talked) http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=30288 Let me know if you still need a starter (I may be able to help) it's a tight fit and you have to tak the LCAs and Tierods loose. you would probably also want to disconnect the strut towers and all the electrical (of course). I did all this about a month ago...