Once in a while, perhaps twice a week, when I go to start my truck cold, the starter won't fully engage and it just grinds. Stop and do it again and it will start everytime. Is this just a bad starter or something more serious? I'm fairly new to deisel's and want to make sure before I drop the coin and replace the starter

could be flywheel

seen several. May be missing a tooth.

Is the flywheel and starter covered by warranty? Has about 70K on it.

as far as i remember - flywheel is. If it is the flywheel the starter will usually need to be replaced too.

From:
http://www.gmc.com/100kwarranty/coverage.jsp


Covered for five years/100,000 miles*

General Motors will warrant each 2007 and 2008 model year passenger car, light duty truck or van for 5 years, or 100,000 miles/160,000 kms. with no deductible, whichever comes first, from the original in-service date of the vehicle, for warrantable repairs which are required as a result of defects due to material and/or workmanship to the Powertrain components as listed below:

*
Engine

Cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil pump housing, OHC carriers, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, turbocharger, supercharger and all internal lubricated parts as well as manifolds, flywheel, water pump, harmonic balancer and engine mount. Timing belts are covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval.
*
Transmission/Transaxle/ Transfer Case

Case, all internal lubricated parts, torque converter, transfer case, transmission/transaxle mounts, seals, and gaskets.
Drive Systems

Final drive housing, all internal lubricated parts, axle shafts and bearings, constant velocity joints, axle housing, propeller shafts, universal joints, wheel bearings, locking hubs, front differential actuator, supports, front and rear hub bearings, seals and gaskets.
*
Courtesy Transportation Program

During the warranty coverage period, alternate transportation and/or reimbursement of certain transportation expenses will be available under the Courtesy Transportation Program if your vehicle requires warranty repairs. Several transportation options are available. Refer to your Owners Manual for details, including reservation of rights, or consult your dealer/retailer.
*
Roadside Assistance Program

General Motors is proud to offer the response, security, and convenience of the 24-hour Roadside Assistance Program for a period of 5 years or 100,000 miles/160,000 kms., whichever comes first. Refer to your Owner Manual for details, or consult your dealer/retailer. The Roadside Assistance contact information is listed in the Customer Assistance Offices section of the Warranty and Owner Assistance Information booklet.

could be either flywheel or starter... cant say unless you pull the starter off. two 15mm bolts.

if the flywheel lost a tooth and messed up the starter ... everything is covered.

Best thing you can do is pull the starter and rotate the engine, look for bad teeth on the flywheel.
Do you have a remote start? Lots of times people will get in and turn the key to far.
Also look at the starter teeth while you have it down.

I had the exact same problem. After sitting overnight, first try, would spin. Second try always start. And would start fine the rest of the day. Till it sat overnight.

Started out doing it once-twice a month (~75Kmi) then every morning at 80K. They replaced the starter, checked the flywheel (absolutly no damage?). have 101K now no problem. No the Starter is not covered, Flywheel only, unless you purchased the extended warenty. Starter cost $480, for the dealer to replace it.


JJ

Wow, had mine replaced last year for the same problem under warranty, and the invoice for the replacement was $1200.00. I wonder why the large discrepancy?

Wow, had mine replaced last year for the same problem under warranty, and the invoice for the replacement was $1200.00. I wonder why the large discrepancy?


That seams a bit excessive, but my buddy had his fuel filter changed at the stealer and they charged him $168. That is gouging. Ask you dealer what they will charge you to change the bulb in your fog light, while it's in for service, you'll choke.

I'm going to pull the starter tonight and check out the flywheel. Dealership said that the flywheel isn't covered which suprised me. I figured that the starter wouldn't be covered. I'm going to replace the starter either way. Any ideas where I can get a good one cheaper that the dealership. I've seen rebuilts online for as little as $75.
This discussion board is a lifesaver!! Thanks for all the help!!

Mine does the same thing! I replaced the starter and it's a lot better but it still grinds once in a while. More likely to happen when using the remote start.
Almost seems like it's not getting full power to the starter, I read another post recommending checking the Batteries and that's my next step. Gonna get them load tested. It's really frustrating because on the second try it engages and starts like a charm!!

Exactly the same experience for me. The starter was replaced, and it has done it once or twice since then, but not in the last few months. Thought it might be the batteries too but it should have acted up in the cold and did not. Have no idea what the problem was.

Mine does the same thing. When I had it into the dealer a few months ago, they could not find a problem except one of my new batteries (only about 6 months old) was weak. I still have the same problem after I replaced the battery but it always starts the second time. Atleast it is on record of having a problem.

Just ordered a new starter from Maniac Elctric Motors online. They have a sale on the starters that ends today. $79.90 plus $20.00 core charge. I called them to make sure that this is the correct starter due to the low price. Might not be a bad idea to order one up just in case at that price.

I do notice,about a 1-2sec delay from when I turn the key to start, and hear the starter engage, to when it actually turns the engine over, when it starts normally. When it just spins, it happens immediatly, no delay.

Is their a contact in side the starter that engages and powers the starter after the gear engages? Like some of those old starters that had the solenoid on top, that engaged the starter gear to the fywheel before powering the starter?

JJ

...i am also another with this issue. seems to happen more in the cold than warm weather. ive had 3 brand new factory starters it to try to fix the issue since the flywheel was still good but even new starters will do it. guess its just one of those things:confused::confused:

I'm taking the LLY dually I just bought for a tow rig to my special tech at a dealer 300 miles away on Friday. He is Max Payne on here but doesn't log on anymore due to having a million questions to answer. I ask him and find out what he says. He can usually tell exactly what the problem is. I get back to this when I get back on Sat.