2G 97 GSX ATX Starter grinding then just spinning!

[iceburgx5]

Ok i've searched for this but i can't seem to find the exact problem i'm having. I have a 97 gsx. I purchased it from a kid and was told the car was running and then he went to start it one morning and it wouldn't start so he sold it to me. I bought the car and went to start it and it grinds for a second and then just spins so i pulled it out it it looks like it's hitting the flywheel but not fully engaging and getting into the teeth on the flywheel. The starter is a reman from autozone so i called them and confirmed it was the right part. I then called the previous owner and he told me that he had the transmission replaced and along with the transmission came a used flywheel. I called the shop that replaced it and said it was a transmission out of a 97 gsx along with the flywheel. I've tried everything to get this to work but i can't figure it out.

What i'm wondering is if the remanufactured starter from autozone could be defective or what...here are some pics of the starter gear when i pulled it out. You can see that the edge of the teeth are somewhat worn like they were hitting on something.

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[GSXSixteenG]

The edges are suppose to be like that. Is this auto or manual?

 

[iceburgx5]

It's an auto. When i turn the key it grinds for a second then spins like it would if it hadn't kicked out. Almost like it's kicked out but hitting then just spinning.

 

[GSXSixteenG]

It's an auto. When i turn the key it grinds for a second then spins like it would if it hadn't kicked out. Almost like it's kicked out but hitting then just spinning.

Does the car roll or move in neutral, does the engine at least turn over by hand? I'm not much of an auto guy.

<--thanks Luda for doing my avatar.

 

[iceburgx5]

Update...So i just went and got a new replacement starter from autozone and they said it was for a AWD AT transmission. Put it in and it just grinds. It will catch occasionally and barely turn over then go back to grinding. Like it's only kicking it out for a second but not keeping it out while the ignition is turned or it's just not kicking out far enough to catch the teeth on the flywheel. I feel that maybe they replaced the awd flexplate with a gst flexplate. I read this in another post on this forum Flywheel size does matter. "I was sent a FWD flywheel for my AWD and found out after it was installed. The starter hits the side of the ring gear and grinds the flywheel to make it start."

OK so i got the car to turn over normally but only when the plugs are out and there is no resistance. I'm pretty sure that the teeth on the torque conver are shot. I'm in the market for one now if anyone has one available.

 

[GSXSixteenG]

Ok, so it turns over without the spark plugs? Sounds like another problem as well... broken valve on top of a piston?

 

[Jose303]

I was wondering if you ever fixed the problem. I am having the same thing and cant find a solution