Starter issue?

[raven1911]

I have done some homework but am still confused. I am finding a couple things in reading online and need clarification. My 1999 3rd gen is having some slight grinding noises upon start up, no clicking or anything. I am wondering if replacing the contacts will help solve my problem? Since the contacts are part of the solenoid, and the solenoid is typically why the starter grinds at start up, will replacing these clear up the grinding issue? Has anyone had the grinding on start up fixed by just doing the contact replacement on the starter? Seems most people that replace the contacts are getting a clicking, but I am not having that problem.

I don't want to buy a reman starter, as I hear they are garbage. I would like to keep my oem one but if my issue could be a solenoid issue, can the solenoid be replaced or fixed?

Thoughts??

Thanks in advance

 

[19963.4lsr5]

At start the solenoid energizing pushes out the gear and closed the contacts to put battery voltage to the brushes of the motor. It may be failing to push gear out all the way.


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[raven1911]

So that is my thought process too but I have also read individuals on here giving the advice that the grind is not related to the contacts and that it is the solenoid itself. I think the only way to replace a solenoid is to replace the starter? I am confused here, obviously. I thought the contacts engaged the solenoid.

So I will try to replace the contacts and see what happens tonight. Hopefully the grind will go away. I am thinking the contacts are worn and that is affecting the solenoid. I was just trying to avoid buying a new starter and taking it out twice. Hopefully my gamble will pay off and I don't have to take it out twice. I will try and replace the contacts with the starter still in the truck but seems difficult from what I have read.

Have also read that you need to put the starter in to engage the teeth of the flywheel correctly but I haven't seen any procedure to determine how to adjust the starter to engage properly. If anyone has a link to that please let me know.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

The small wire to the starter energized the solenoid. The solenoid pulling in under magnetism pushes out the gear and closes the high current contacts (big fat battery cable wire to starter) for the motor brushes.

Pull the starter and pull the plunger and grease everything up while you are replacing the contacts.


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