It only happens about once a month but it scares the S**T out of me when it does. I will go to start my truck up and it sounds like the is a grinding going on. When it first started I changed the alternator out and i thought the problem was solved but it still happens. I would feel like an idiot tryin to get it to do this at the dealership so they would know what im talking about. has anyone here had the same problems or know what the deal is? Thanks

Makes me think the starter drive is going bad or possibly a bad spot on the flywheel/flexplate...? Starter itself being an issue is alot less involved and cheaper than the later but pulling the starter is the first step then inspect the teeth on the flywheel/flexplate at the same time...

Starter or flywheel issue. Had my starter replaced once already and it will still occassionally do it.

What did you ever find out with this? I am having the same problem...

Mine does the same thing now and then, just a quirk maybe?:confuzeld

Mine has been doing this for a year. Sometimes it takes 3 times before the started engages. I just replaced the starter today. Had to remove the 5" exhaust in order to get it out. So it is all back together and the first four times I tried, the starter did not engage. I bought this truck two years ago and it did not do this (55k miles). It never does it when I take it to a mechanic. Now I am trying to sell it with 88k miles and it seems to do it most of the time.

The drive gear has a little damage, but not like what I has seen before with bad starter drives. I guess the next step is to open the inspection cover and see if the the ring gear on the flex plate is torn up. Has anyone gotten to the point?

Seems to be a common failure, mine did it at around 70K, was intermittant at first, then started doing it most every morning. But only on cold starts, like after sitting for 8hrs, or overnight.

Dealer replaced the started, only failed to engauge twice since then, and only when it was -10 out, have 110K on it now.

Could find nothing wrong, flywheel, ring-gear, drive assy were all fine? There are threads on this going back a few years.

JJ

Mine did the same thing, so I replaced the starter. It worked good for a while and then started doing the same thing again. I could not find any flywheel damage. I found that if I shut the key completely off and then try to start it again, it has always started right up. It seems like it resets the starter, but that doesn't make sense.

I'm in this club to from time to time. I've already replaced one starter but I only had to replace it because when I took it out the solenoid plastic cap disentegrated. I pulled the contacts right out of the top so hence new unit. Mine will still not engage from time to time but its a once in a while thing. After I replaced the starter though it was fine for at least six months.