Starter problem, Replaced my starter twice already

[gdem69]

I have a 98 GST and i am aware that i had a starter issue. I tried searching all forums but no one seems to have the same issue as me because i already changed my starter twice in 2 days. The first starter i installed was apparently for the 2.4 litre spyder engine which obviously didn't fix my problem because the Bendix did not extend enough to catch the fly wheel. the second starter which i installed yesterday does start the car and i can tell that it is possibly the right one because the car starts but my issue is that it makes a grinding sound. Sometimes it starts close to perfect and other times it grinds and then starts. My flywheel looks in great condition since i had my engine changed not to long ago. I was told that my engine has roughly 40 k on it. I don't think that my flywheel is the issue, im thinking that maybe i purchased a defective starter. If anyone could help me out on this one, i would greatly appreciate it because im not sure of how to correct this problem.

I just read in another post that theres a slight difference between the starter in an Eclipse with an automatic transmission and an Eclipse with a manual transmission. Now i am wondering if maybe i was given a starter for an automatic transmission when mine is a manual. Is there a way to identify if i have the correct one?

[1gDSM4g63]

They are the same for the Eclipse auto and manual cars.

Is the grinding coming from your starter? If not then and you can start the car then there is a situation elsewhere that has nothing to do with the starter.

[gdem69]

Im 99% sure that the starter makes the noise because i never heard this sound before untill i changed my starter and also it only does the noise when the engine cranks. once the car is started everything is the way its soposeto be. Its very weird considering that i changed the starter for the second time in two days and i know that the stores computer indicated that i have the right one.

[ClevelandDSM]

How was the ground wire on the starter?

Was it all corroded and maybe not making full contact?

That's pretty much all that comes to mind. Wish I could be more helpful.

[gdem69]

the ground seems to be in decent shape. obviousily mitsubishi has that problem where there wires strip at the edges over time but it was still in an appropiate shape and i also cleaned the contacts while i was installing. does anybody have a picture of the right starter for a 1998 gst? also i appreciate the responces i received so far. its nice to know that when in doubt i can always refer to these forums and get professional advice, thanks!

[ClevelandDSM]

I pulled this picture off of Rockauto.com , Im not 100% sure its an exact picture, so get a 2nd opinion. I figured it could not hurt it if is correct though.

Image

Here is the part discription.

ACDELCO Part # 3361706 {#19135560}
STARTER,(REMAN) w/MANUAL TRANSMISSION; MITSUBISHI PMGR; 1.4 KW

[gdem69]

the one i put in looks identical to that one in your picture but slightly different. the other one im going to put in today is exactly the same one made by acdelco. the only thing i dont understand is that my origional starter had a longer back and the one i installed in my car is the same size as in your picture.

[gdem69]

lol now today when i started my car the starter made that clicking sound proving to me that that starter is defective. why is it that so many automotive parts stores have such difficulties when getting the parts for an eclipse or talon. it freaks me out. tonight im going to install my third starter hopefully this time it will work. i just wanted to thank those who have helped me. all imput was greatly appreciated.

[Akoi Meexx]

I've not had a problem getting essential Talon parts (the exception being the valve cover), but try finding anything like hatch lifts or the like is like pulling the teeth from a tiger.

That starter looks similar if not identical to the one on my Talon. Maybe gank the part off a junked car somewhere and have it tested to see if it works?

[snowborder714]

Originally Posted by 1gDSM4g63

They are the same for the Eclipse auto and manual cars.

This is incorrect. They are the same for FWD and AWD, but different for auto and manual. The auto starter doesn't go as far in as the manual starter.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/151355131-post2.html


Johnathan, the hatch struts are easy to find. You can just get them from a dealer.

[gdem69]

last night i changed my starter for the third time and finally it was a success. the picture that clevelandDSM posted is the right starter for the eclipse gst 2g. My majour problem was that i was given a starter for a 2.4 liter spyder and then the right one but wow was it defective because it made a really bad noise and also clicked sometimes when i tried to start up my car. I wanted to thank all thoes who have helped me through this thread because i wouldnt have been able to do this without the support

[ClevelandDSM]

No problem, Just glad to see you got it up and running right again.