Has anyone solved the grinding starter problem?

[strmh]

My '05 LLY has had a starter issue since I bought it 3 years ago. Every so often when trying to start, the starter grinds as though not fully engaging the flywheel. Then she'll fire right up on the second try. Seems worse during colder temps.

There's a few posts that offer suggestions to fix such as lubricating the starter or replacing it, but the problems seem to resurface after short while.

I'm wondering if anyone has found a good solution?

Thanks,
TH

[eyeherrdat]

mine does the exact same thing, had it replaced and will still grind about once a week. The best response that I have found on here was that you might have a flat spot on the fly wheel and just every so often your starter hits it when starting. I guess I will just deal with it.

[strmh]

I've found that mine seems to grind when it's either:

A) Colder outside or;

B) A group of people are standing nearby

I'd love to get it fixed, but I don't want to replace the starter for nothing. I have seen that some recommend lubricating the starter gears. Is that something that I can do, would I have to take it to a shop to have the starter disassembled?

[zimmerma323]

Originally Posted by strmh

I've found that mine seems to grind when it's either:

A) Colder outside or;

B) A group of people are standing nearby

I'd love to get it fixed, but I don't want to replace the starter for nothing. I have seen that some recommend lubricating the starter gears. Is that something that I can do, would I have to take it to a shop to have the starter disassembled?

Lol I know how you feel, mine has done that since I bought it back in 05. It seems to always happen when a bunch of people are standing around. I also noticed that it usually does it when I put more pressure on the key when cranking over. I have not yet found a solution.

[jlawles2]

If all you are going to do is lubricate the shaft with a cold temp high speed grease, you should be able to drop the starter and do it without taking it apart. If you have the ability to take it out, you could probably take it apart without any problems. The tricks to putting them back together are subtle, but make it easier. Most starters and alternators have brushes that need to be retained so that you can install the armature. Brush holders typically have a hole in them, or the springs have a parking spot that keep the brushes retracted until the armature is in place. On a rare occasion, the end with the brushes will come completely off making it easy to put back together.

If you do pull it off, post pictures. Someone here can probably give detailed directions on how to service it. Otherwise they are cheap at the parts house. I think they are less than $150.

[Farmboy51]

It doesn't help to change the starter.

[lavarock]

I have the same problem on a 05. I have never seen it posted but my guess is the block was not machined correct and that is why replacing the starter does not correct the problem. If GM was worth anything they would identify the batch of blocks that were bad and provide a fix. But the government owns GM now so I will wait until the truck is junk and get me a Ford.

[jlawles2]

In the old days, one would shim the starter to fix the engagement. I do not know if you can shim the mounting holes for alignment or not.

[dieselguy_85]

mine does this also. seems worse in cold weather

[turnpike]

The '02 I had, did the starter grind every now and again. Dealer could not duplicate the problem for extended warranty...they said.
A jobber shop saw the ground off teeth on the ring gear, when they where going to replace the starter. Ended up keeping the old starter and selling the truck.
Don't think it a a run of bad castings, because it is spread over a number of years.