Rebuilt starter but still grinding - any other causes?
 

I had my starter rebuilt by a reputable local place - it worked fine for 2 weeks and now I have something grinding/screeching again for about 1 second on start-up. It sounds like the starter again. However the grind does sound different from when it was grinding before the rebuild. I put in a new ignition switch too just for the heck of it. It does not do it every single start-up. Is there anything else that can sound like a starter grind? Here is an audio file of the grind/screech if it helps.

www.patssle.com/grind.mp3

Did he replace the spring that retracts the starter, not just rebuild the motor? Sounds more like a starter motor bearing.

Don't know - can't ask them until Monday. Trying to find a local starter that I can plugin and try. Seems auto part stores don't stock it. :(

EDIT: Rolling started it 3 times - no grind.

As I understand it, if it isn't retracting, its that grinding "re-started it" sound. That sounds like the bearing shrieking. So you rolled it and used the starter, or rolled & popped clutch? If popped clutch & no noise, starter bearings. My parts guy provided a NEW Bosch starter, then called and said OOPS, I meant to pick up a rebuilt unit, and that one is WAY more expensive. I split the difference to be a nice guy, but already had it installed and had asked for the rebuilt. Was charged for the rebuilt.

I popped the clutch.

Took the engine lid off and tested some more - definitely the starter. I'll take it back to the guy who rebuilt it Monday - is there anything else I should ask besides replacing the spring and cleaning/greasing the bendix? Seems those are the 2 items that are the key to retracting the starter from the flywheel unless I'm missing anything else?

Man, that's the exact sound mine makes. Has been doing it for over a year, but only occasionally, and never until the engine is fully warmed up and has been started many times that day. Has never failed to start, but can be pretty embarrassing in a crowded parking lot. Heard it's pretty common on these though.

That sound is caused by the starter. What you hear is the teeth of the starter pinion gear grinding on the teeth of the flywheel ring gear.
This happens when the starter pinion gear remains engaged with the flywheel instead of retracting as it should.

If this condition is allowed to continue long enough, the teeth on the ring gear can wear down to the point where the starter will no longer fully engage the ring gear and the starter will simply spin. This can be worked around by pushing the car in gear to move the ring gear to a position where the teeth will engage and then the car will start.

Take the rebuild starter back to whomever worked on it and have it repaired (again) or simply buy a replacement starter.

Thstone, this can be caused as well by a sticking starter solenoid, it is possible that the person that rebuilt the starter used the old solenoid...

Yes, you are exactly correct! Thanks for clarifying. :cheers:

They said they put a new solenoid on it. I'll find out tomorrow if they found anything after opening it up.

Of course the weather is fantastic and my car is undriveable. EFF!