bad starter??

usmceric1 · 01-31-2008, 01:36 PM

Sometimes when starting my truck it sounds kinda like a machine gun before it fires up...doesn't do it all the time, but I was wondering what it was. 96 5.7 Vortec

75K30 · 01-31-2008, 02:17 PM

If the engine turns over the way it should meaning that it does not jump when it rotates, then the gear mesh between the flexplate and the starter is probably alright.
Chances are the starter is fine also.
First guess, and my best guess would be that the converter bolts are loose.
You have an inspection cover on the front of the transmission that covers up the bottom of the converter. Remove this and inspect the flexplate, starter gear, and check for loose bolt on the converter.
Yes I am assuming that you have an automatic.

436'd skylark · 01-31-2008, 06:29 PM

is it a 4x4? if so the oil filter is mounted horizontally. if the truck sits long enough the filter will drain out. and for the first 2-3 seconds the engine knocks a bit before the oil is pumped through. not a huge deal. my truck does it every now and then too.

Buick motors are notorious for this. it probably takes about 15-20 seconds of cranking before my buick builds pressure. if I let it fire up, its about 5-7 seconds. Probably the worst oil system that ever made it into production..

stumpuller454 · 02-01-2008, 09:36 AM

weak starter solenoid maybe?

Case 7230 · 02-01-2008, 10:53 AM

Sounds to me like the over-run clutch on the starter is on the way out. They can stay like yours for months or fail suddenly. You can get the bendix gear and over-run clutch as a kit and fit it yourself although can be difficult so may be best to get a shop to do it.

01-31-2008, 01:36 PM	#1
usmceric1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 82	bad starter?? Sometimes when starting my truck it sounds kinda like a machine gun before it fires up...doesn't do it all the time, but I was wondering what it was. 96 5.7 Vortec

01-31-2008, 06:29 PM	#3
436'd skylark Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Buffalo Ny Posts: 620	is it a 4x4? if so the oil filter is mounted horizontally. if the truck sits long enough the filter will drain out. and for the first 2-3 seconds the engine knocks a bit before the oil is pumped through. not a huge deal. my truck does it every now and then too. Buick motors are notorious for this. it probably takes about 15-20 seconds of cranking before my buick builds pressure. if I let it fire up, its about 5-7 seconds. Probably the worst oil system that ever made it into production.. __________________ Joe 89 K2500 Chevy, Wee-Oh-five 285K miles, completly rebuilt needs a motor, bad 1962 IHC Scout All Wheel Drive (Scout speak for locking axles) 152 ci, dana everything else

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01-31-2008, 02:17 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,518	If the engine turns over the way it should meaning that it does not jump when it rotates, then the gear mesh between the flexplate and the starter is probably alright. Chances are the starter is fine also. First guess, and my best guess would be that the converter bolts are loose. You have an inspection cover on the front of the transmission that covers up the bottom of the converter. Remove this and inspect the flexplate, starter gear, and check for loose bolt on the converter. Yes I am assuming that you have an automatic.

02-01-2008, 09:36 AM	#4
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 786	weak starter solenoid maybe?

02-01-2008, 10:53 AM	#5
Case 7230 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 226	Sounds to me like the over-run clutch on the starter is on the way out. They can stay like yours for months or fail suddenly. You can get the bendix gear and over-run clutch as a kit and fit it yourself although can be difficult so may be best to get a shop to do it.