Horrible grinding noise while starting.

[kt239]

I am having a problem with starting my vehicle, though it does indeed start the process of starting it is painful. When the starter is engaged there is a horrible grinding like sound until the motor turns over. I thought it was the starter itself but just put a replacement one on and it has not fixed the problem. I noticed one of my drive plate bolts are missing but I don't think that would cause the sound. Mainly because the little bit it is away from the torque converter is still not enough to be sticking out more than the other three bolts. I'm throwing around the idea that maybe the bolt is stuck somewhere in there but that's a tight fit and I'd think that somewhere along the line of replacing the starter here it would have made its self apparent. I'm looking for ideas and very open to suggestions.

 

[canada4g63]

Check your flywheel and make sure all your bolt are holding the starter in place. If your missing a bolt the starter gear might not be lining up with your flywheel.

 

[kt239]

Flywheel looks fine and there's only two bolts holding the starter and they seem to be holding it just fine. I wouldn't think that one out of four bolts holding the drive plate to the torque converter would knock it that out of whack, but maybe?

 

[suprasalas]

hum well try put on the missing bolt see if that makes a differnce.. you never know.. and make sure that the bolts to the starter are torque spec and that theres no play between the starter and the trany.. on a side note.. manual tranys have flywheels and automatic tranys have flex plates..

 

[kt239]

manual tranys have flywheels and automatic tranys have flex plates..

This I am well aware of but most can decipher what I mean in relation to the issue. But I did just put the new starter on and all four of the flex plate to torque converter bolts are in but the sound is still there. Its not nearly as bad as it was but its still there while I start the car. Anything I may be missing?

 

[Pom]

It could be a misalignement due to your missing bolt on your flex plate

 

[Wil_OwnU]

Wow my 1g is having the same problem when its starting sounds like something is loose in the trans or engine but once it starts its fine don't understand it either.

 

[kt239]

Well I narrowed it down to the starting ring on the torque converter. Last night I went to start it and the starter just spun and nothing happened. Out of curiosity I rotated the motor by the crank sprocket bolt to try a different angle and it started up. Didn't sound like it wanted to but it managed so it's off to the tranny shop today. Id do it myself but I've already put my share of wrenching hours with this car. Plus it's still in warranty weather it be covered idk but crossing my fingers.

 

[Anubis_4_99]

Anytime I've heard of similar symptoms, on a manual it was the flywheel teeth being worn down in one or more spots and barely being engaged by the starter.

I've only done a handful of auto tranny swaps so can't exactly recall if the auto is on the flexplate or what not, but considering you got it to start by rotating the motor, i would assume something similar is your issue.

*edit*

Also if left unattended for too long, this will also wear down the teeth on the starter and eventually leave you stranded.

 

[95 tsi 95 gst]

make sure all bolts r tight and u have the starter plste in place with the right bolts i had the same issue bought a car with no starter plate and maybe space ## starter from the trans i had to do that before as of well

 

[kt239]

Well I got home from work and went to retrieve the vehicle from its den to take it to the shop and ended up calling aaa . It's in their hands now cause I did everything but try a different torque converter and they are better equip to get it done quickly. Them teeth on the starting plate have to be super worn cause that starter is new and by new I mean one successful start. The whole assembly has maybe 2k on it so what could possibly cause that to wear down so super fast?