Starter engages erratcally

[MDARWIN1]

I bought a 90 GTS, it has started fine but then it seemed like it would not engage sometimes. I would hear a grind, bump it a couple of times and starts fine for 5 or 10 times and the same thing .. just a grind. Could there be a bad spot on the flywheel ring. The battery does not look like the rights size, does not fit in the bracket correctly, not tall enough. Anybody have any ideas where to go from here? I replaced the starter and of course it fired right up then about 5 starts later did not engage for a few times then fired up. If it is the flywheel, how long before it just wont start after bumping it over, seems to me if there were a bad spot it would just be stuck and never turn over again? Any advise would be helpful.

Mark

[Rick89GTS]

Make sure the battery is fully charged first. If it's not, you'll get some intermittent or no-start.
Was the second starter motor brand new, freshly rebuilt or used? It could be faulty or defective too.
You can check that and the brushes inside if necessary. Check the pinion gear for worn teeth too.
I doubt that it's the flywheel; usually the pinion gear on the starter wears first.

If you pull the starter off, it'll leave the exposed hole where you can actually see and inspect the flywheel teeth. With the help of a prybar, you may be able to rotate it slowly and check each section. But again, I highly doubt it's the flywheel and even if it were, you're screwed b/c that would necessitate a dropping the tranny and doing a clutch change $$$$$

But don't fret; it's most likely the battery or starter.

[MDARWIN1]

The starter was the original I pulled off, the teeth looked like they were making good contact based on the wear. Can I pull off the bottom cover between the torque converter and the housing and see the flywheeel underneath? I would have to use a mirror and a flashlight above based upon where it is.

The starter I put in was a rebuild from Advance Auto. I am really curious about the battery, like I said it does not seem to fit, looks to short since the brackets have about 1.5 inches after the J-Bolts bottom out. If it isn't putting the right juice to the starter maybe the bendix isn't shooting out completely each time.

I agreee about the ring gear teeth but it seemed like it could be a bad or mushroom tooth from someone trying to start it after it was already running, I will check out the teeth either from the top or the bottom(if possible) this weekend.

Appreciate the response.

Mark

[Rick89GTS]

Originally Posted by MDARWIN1

.....Can I pull off the bottom cover between the torque converter and the housing and see the flywheel underneath? I would have to use a mirror and a flashlight above based upon where it is.....

I believe you can but just check your manual to be sure, as I don't own a 5th gen. Good luck, let us know what you find out!