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97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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ickster
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Jan 7, 2012, 9:11 AM
Post #1 of 12
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97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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Hi guys,
Finished my repair of the head gasket. I'd asked a question a couple of weeks ago after I'd screwed up the rocker bolt. I got that fixed thanks to help here.
Had the big start up last night and wasn't expecting it to not even turn over.
When I turn the key, the starter doesn't seem to be engaging. I can hear it spinning but it's not turning over the motor. I have not done anything to troubleshoot it yet. We'd bought a new (out of date/cheap) battery that we had not charged fully, so was hoping that was it. But this morning, after charging over night, still won't engage.
I did not torque it down, just tightened it up good. I thought the connections were tight, but I'll check them. I can turn the motor with a wrench, so I don't think it's seized or anything. I torgued all the rockers and covers correctly.
I wasn't expecting this. I wasn't going to be surprised if it didn't start *that's how I roll), but didn't expect it to be the starter whining like this. Not sure how to proceed. The factory manuals we bought don't show this problem in the starter troubleshooting section.
SIL tells me there was no issues with starter before.
I could sure use some input here......
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 7, 2012, 9:35 AM
Post #2 of 12
(1965 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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If the starter is responding at all, then your problem is isolated to the starter itself, bad solenoid, wired wrong, mounted wrong, flywheel problem., etc
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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ickster
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Jan 7, 2012, 9:50 AM
Post #3 of 12
(1956 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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Seems pretty hard to mount it wrong, but because it's not engaging that's likely it. What could I have done wrong there? It seems like there is nothing I could have changed that would affect the starter system. It looks like there's only one way to put the starter in with no adjustmebts or positioning options. Could it be that I didn't tighten to specs? As far as I know, nothings changed. So wouldn't that rule out bad starter, solenoid, or flywheel? I guess I'll drop it and do a bench test.
I could use some specific input on where to start........
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 7, 2012, 9:56 AM
Post #4 of 12
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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To add: Once satisfactory battery power is known if you hear a click then just a humming starter the starter drive could have given out. Not as common as some much older vehicles and if just that it can be replaced separately if you think starter is ok otherwise.
If it doesn't throw the drive at the "flywheel" at all then I'd probably toss the whole starter but knowing as said it's getting enough power.
You could try the love tap with a hammer but that's not a long term fix if that worked,
T
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ickster
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Jan 7, 2012, 10:04 AM
Post #5 of 12
(1945 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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Yeah, it's not thowing the drive to the flywheel....I can hear it spinning, that's what I'm calling a "whine". I guess I've heard of stranger coincidences than a starter going out after a head gasket change.
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ickster
User
Jan 7, 2012, 12:51 PM
Post #6 of 12
(1930 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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So I put my cheap battery tester on the (out of date) new battery.....it did not give me a green charged light. I took it to Autozone. He checked it w/ his high dollar tester and it said the battery was at 100%. He suggested I check all the wires for corrosion and bad connections and to also check the the inner nut is tight on the big connection (he says that's common). I'm about to recheck all connections stc. I'll lightly sand each spade connector with a fine grade sandpaper. And I'll try tapping it as well.
If this fails I guess I'll get a new starter.........$74.00 or $95.00.
Any other suggestions?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 7, 2012, 2:03 PM
Post #7 of 12
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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Know or learn but you can watch this work off car with jumper cables and a trigger wire jumper but if you try that hang on as they can jump out of your three hand hold ( ) on the thing or take it to be tested - many parts outlets are doing this for free,
T
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ickster
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Jan 7, 2012, 2:32 PM
Post #8 of 12
(1915 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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Good answer LOL, sounds like the voice of experience ......
Got it working after I clean all the connections!
The car actually started which is awesome. But now I've got this giant air sucking sound at the throttle body area. The car is idleing down and surging, I think trying to compensate for this hissing. I'm hoping it's a loose connection where one of the fuel lines goes into the throttle body. The fitting it goes to is a valve of some sort that attaches to the throttle body and has an air vacuum line on the top. I may not have tightened this fitting enough. It sure is a loud hiss.
My mechanic friend who is out of town suggests I spray starting fluid in that area and if it surges, then it is likely there. I need to get a wrench that fits and some starting fluid. If I can tighten that fuel line and that stops the leak, I won't try the starting fluid. I'll check the connections first.
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 7, 2012, 2:36 PM
Post #9 of 12
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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the part you are talking about is your fuel pressure regulator. The hissing noise is a vacuum leak. First seal up the fuel leak then look over your work very closely to find where the vacuum leak is coming from. Should stand out to you when you look if its that loud.
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ickster
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Jan 7, 2012, 3:12 PM
Post #10 of 12
(1912 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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Thanks for the input. I apreciate all the help!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jan 7, 2012, 3:33 PM
Post #11 of 12
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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If you're referring to a metal pipe coming into the manifold, it may be the EGR tube which requires a gasket and can cause a major vacuum leak. The fuel pressure regulator would be a much smaller leak. It's a very small hose.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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ickster
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Jan 7, 2012, 8:17 PM
Post #12 of 12
(1900 views)
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Re: 97 Grand Prix-head gasket replace-now starter whines
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It was the throttle body gasket.....I put it in upside down the SECOND time I put it on. I had to take that section all apart the first time because the upper motor mount bracket got put back in the wrong order .I put the gasket in right the first time LOL.
But she is actually purring now. I'm stoked.
All the help here is greatly appreciated. I love the interweb.
Thanks
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