Harmonic Balancer gone bad...happen to anyone else? [MERGE]

[dieseltech]

Looking at my ACdelco Starting and charging systems book, the wire you used seems to be adequate for the positive wire. You must remember that the path the electricty travels back to the battery is just as important.
In your basic circuit the only item that is used is voltage. For example when u have a light in a simple 12v circuit the light uses all of the voltage. It also has amperage flowing through it but remains constant in the circuit. In your case let's say your starter is demanding 300 amps. This demand is constant and does not change in the circuit. 300 amps leave the battery and 300 amps return, only voltage is used.
Your cranking speed is very slow and the starter is drawing ALOT of amperage. Unplug your mpi fuse. Crank on the engin for 15-20 seconds. Go back to the battery and very carefully touch the battery ends, or if you have the means use a thermal heat gun. I'm sure you will find the negative battery cable is very hot. You will find this also true with any ground that is connected from your engine block to the body.
The body makes a fine ground for low amperage circuits but high amperage circuits require a clear and free path to and from the source. I've solved many trailer related problems because people use the trailer ball as the ground!! Also grouning your battery to the body only can cause driveability issues. Give these suggestions a try and let me know what you come up with.

 

[Lancer14]

Great! One problem solved. I ran a 2 gauge cable up to the engine bay and connected it to one of the tranny bolts. I almost forgot it could ever crank that fast Although I'm still getting the starter squeal.
Thanks!!

Chris

 

[dieseltech]

at least its cranking like it's supposed to now. Is the squeal as bad or has it lessened? Check the state of charge in your battery. With a bad ground for so long it could be weak and may need recharged.

 

[Lancer14]

It seems to be the same, no greater or lesser. The battery was just recharged overnight.

Chris

 

[dieseltech]

i wish i had one. then i'd tear it apart and take pics to have a breakdown.

 

[Lancer14]

I think I'm gonna try shimming it out a little. If I'm motivated enough I'll rip it apart again and take some pics.
Thanks so much for the help. When it comes to electronics I'm done. Barely passed any of those classes in tech school.

Chris

 

[dieseltech]

the only other thing i can think is if there are different starters for the different engines. Im unsure of this, but it wouldnt be the first time a parts store made a mistake.

 

[JLangevin]

Sorry I cant be of anymore help than these folks, but I just had to say that sound gave me the heebie-jeebies! I mean, either is a bad starter, or it sounds like a BEAST being turned over. Almost like a Hyabusa!

 

[Raph]

is the starter correct? i think gsst and gsx had different starters.

take out the starter and use a flashlight to see the flywheels ring,if the teeht on the ring are shiny ,then your starter is catching(i.e spinning with the flywheel and not disengaging)

another place to check is your key switch assembly, it may be sticking caudsing the starter to operate a wee bit longer.. causing the sqealing noise.

 

[Joeyxx07]

hey guys ive read up on this but theres not much help. I have a squeel/squeek coming from my belts when i first start my car up and turn the wheel. I just started school and its very loud and embarassing. I've heard it could be the harmonic balancer? How do i check/fix this please guys i need an answer tonight!! I dont want my car to squeel anymore!! thanks

 

[ddavisaf]

Your belts could be too tight or too loose. You may have a bent pully that's causing abnormal wear on the sides of your belts. Or your crank pully may be going bad. OR, your belts could be too old.
Check the tightness of your belts by twisting the belt. You should be able to turn it about 90 degrees.
To check for a bent pully just follow the path of the belt and see if everything is lining up right. If you notice any kind of damage on the edges of your belt, something isn't right.
Your crank pully will have deterioration in the center "rubber portion" of it if it's bad. If it looks nasty, replace it. It will save alot of heart ache.
If your belts are old you'll see cracks, fraying, pieces missing, in the ribbed sections and on the flat sections. This damage will cause it to slip and slipping is squeaking.

 

[austintalon]

hey guys ive read up on this but theres not much help. I have a squeel/squeek coming from my belts when i first start my car up and turn the wheel. I just started school and its very loud and embarassing. I've heard it could be the harmonic balancer? How do i check/fix this please guys i need an answer tonight!! I dont want my car to squeel anymore!! thanks

Just check the tension and the condition on your power steering and alternator belts. Could need adjusted or some belt dressing. If the belt dressing/adjusting doesn't help, check the harmonic dampner (crank pulley) for play, they tend to seperate apart if they are old.

 

[HustlerTalon]

your belts might be on too tight...especially the alternator belt.


http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=214572&highlight=belt+squeak


http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221878&highlight=belt+squeak



There you go!

 

[Joeyxx07]

wow guys thank you so much for the quick replys im going to go see what i can do with the information youve given me THANKS AGAIN!!

 

[Joeyxx07]

ok so i decided im going to try and tighten the adjuster bolt but it is IMPOSSIBLE to get to without a shallow socket which i dont have someone please help! Its also VERY rusty and looks like it will most likely bust off with tightening, if this happens what do i do then?? thanks guys

 

[Speede]

you might find something like this:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[leet]

Been there.

 

[TalonESIT]

Is there a way you can use an open ended wrench instead? Make sure you loosen the bolts before you adjust the tensioner, otherwise that tension bolt will just snap right off (from experience =(. )

Which belt are you planning to adjust?

 

[Defiant]

Me, too. Like yours, it appears to be undamaged.
I don't think I've ever heard a worse noise in a car.

 

[TurboSportAWD]

That's nothing. When mine went there were two pieces of it and a whole lot of problems to go with it.

 

[housegsx]

Before mine originally went this metal ring fell out while the car was idling in the driveway. I looked under the hood and everything looked good in the crank pulley area. No wobble/thrown belts. I just tossed the piece that fell out and went along. It was sort of funny watching it fall out the car and roll down the driveway with no ill side effects. About 5k miles later the pulley eventually went so I welded it back together solid. That held up for a long time, but i've since put another pulley on.

 

[Joeyxx07]

the alternator belt how do i take off the bolts first?

 

[Eclipse98_RS]

I had the same problem in my 98 GS-T. I took some belt dressing to it and it minimized the squeak to when if first starts and only for a second, instead of like 4 or 5 seconds.

 

[Joeyxx07]

probably a dumb question but whats belt dressing?

 

[diablos991]

It is sticky stuff in a can that you can buy at any autozone or checker. It makes the belts stickier to prevent them from slipping. I use it as a last resort.