Grinding issues when starting

[Tayang77]

I have a 2020 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with 100k miles. I’ve been having a random problem while starting (maybe once a month) where it will try to engage, stop, then make a loud grinding noise. I’ve included a link to my YouTube since I can’t post a video here.

I put a new starter in assuming it was that, then a new battery after it kept happening. A month later it’s still doing it. Can’t seem to find any info on this, has anyone experienced the same thing? Just ordered a new wiring harness but not sure that’s the problem.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Doubeleive]

I have a 2020 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with 100k miles. I’ve been having a random problem while starting (maybe once a month) where it will try to engage, stop, then make a loud grinding noise. I’ve included a link to my YouTube since I can’t post a video here.

I put a new starter in assuming it was that, then a new battery after it kept happening. A month later it’s still doing it. Can’t seem to find any info on this, has anyone experienced the same thing? Just ordered a new wiring harness but not sure that’s the problem.
Thanks in advance!

sounds like you might need to use a shim on the starter, the gear is getting stuck on the flywheel instead of retracting freely. probably needs alignment, hence the shim. might have been a couple in the box with the new starter sometimes they are included and sometimes not

 

[Tayang77]

sounds like you might need to use a shim on the starter, the gear is getting stuck on the flywheel instead of retracting freely. probably needs alignment, hence the shim. might have been a couple in the box with the new starter sometimes they are included and sometimes not

Makes sense, thank you.
My new one didn’t come with any shims, I don’t think the old one had any installed. Do you think even though it will start fine for a while (sometimes alternating the strength at which it fires up if that makes sense) in between the random grinds it’d be spacing? Would this mean it’s too close? Not sure I can see my flywheel to measure.

 

[Doubeleive]

Makes sense, thank you.
My new one didn’t come with any shims, I don’t think the old one had any installed. Do you think even though it will start fine for a while (sometimes alternating the strength at which it fires up if that makes sense) in between the random grinds it’d be spacing? Would this mean it’s too close? Not sure I can see my flywheel to measure.

any autoparts store should sell the shims, I would assume there is some risk of breaking off a piece of either the starter gear or flywheel if left like that.

 

[Tahoe14]

Maybe the new starter you purchased has an alignment issue, I wouldn’t think shims would be necessary with a new starter. I would consider taking that one back and getting a new one.

 

[Doubeleive]

Maybe the new starter you purchased has an alignment issue, I wouldn’t think shims would be necessary with a new starter. I would consider taking that one back and getting a new one.

Same issue was present with original according to what I read anyway

 

[Tahoe14]

You are right. Completely zoned out on that important aspect.

 

[OR VietVet]

You may have to shim, even though you should not have to. Your mount area and flexplate need thorough inspection.

 

[Geotrash]

You may have to shim, even though you should not have to. Your mount area and flexplate need thorough inspection.

+1. Could be missing a tooth or two on the flex plate.

 

[Doubeleive]

+1. Could be missing a tooth or two on the flex plate.

Or bent/warped like the guy shows in the video I linked

 

[OR VietVet]

Or bent/warped like the guy shows in the video I linked

I gotta admit, all my years in the shops, I have never seen a bent/warped flex plate but that don't mean s*h*i*t. Definitely a possibility.

 

[Fless]

I gotta admit, all my years in the shops, I have never seen a bent/warped flex plate but that don't mean s*h*i*t. Definitely a possibility.

FYI You can write "shit." No need to disguise it.

 

[OR VietVet]

FYI You can write "shit." No need to disguise it.

I posted something with the word t*o*p*l*e*s*s earlier and it zapped it. I assumed the word shit would be too.

 

[Tayang77]

I shimmed the starter ~1mm and so far so good.
I agree with y’all seems like I shouldn’t have to. What little bit of flywheel I can see seems fine, but who knows.
1 out of every 100 starts does as described in the video so may take a while to see if shim helped.
I used to get hesitant or sluggish starts randomly but post shimming they’ve been consistent strong starts
I bought the tahoe used and have just slowly gone through and replaced most things.
This just hasn’t gone away yet. Fingers crossed Doubelieve is right with shims
Thank you all!

 

[Tahoe14]

Way to go Doubelieve!

 

[jayrose]

I shimmed the starter ~1mm and so far so good.
I agree with y’all seems like I shouldn’t have to. What little bit of flywheel I can see seems fine, but who knows.
1 out of every 100 starts does as described in the video so may take a while to see if shim helped.
I used to get hesitant or sluggish starts randomly but post shimming they’ve been consistent strong starts
I bought the tahoe used and have just slowly gone through and replaced most things.
This just hasn’t gone away yet. Fingers crossed Doubelieve is right with shims
Thank you all!

I shimmed the starter ~1mm and so far so good.
I agree with y’all seems like I shouldn’t have to. What little bit of flywheel I can see seems fine, but who knows.
1 out of every 100 starts does as described in the video so may take a while to see if shim helped.
I used to get hesitant or sluggish starts randomly but post shimming they’ve been consistent strong starts
I bought the tahoe used and have just slowly gone through and replaced most things.
This just hasn’t gone away yet. Fingers crossed Doubelieve is right with shims
Thank you all!

Tayang77 do you remember what shims you picked up and where? I just replaced the starter in my 2015 Tahoe LT. I’m not getting any metallic sounds, grinding, or whining, but every start feels like a “thud” right as I turn the key. It seems I’m getting slightly hard engagement. TIA