Hey there.

I have been having some issues starting my car(the grinding), and I believe that it is my flywheel, and have been told this from a local friend.

I have found how too's and everything, such as this(http://www.ehow.com/how_5272678_repl...nsmission.html), but now comes my question.

Can this be potentially complicated, or dangerous for most people to do.
Or should I just go to the mechanic, and let them have the fun?

btw. 1998 F150 Scab, 4-speed automatic.

Thanks yall,
Tyler

 

Automatics have flexplates, not flywheels. Check your starter to see if it is functioning properly.

 

Oh. hmmm, well I have completely lost my mind.

What would I need to check on my starter. Most of the design of this truck is foreign for me, other than simple things.

What should I check for?

Thanks in advance,
--Tyler

 

i had some grinding from my starter before it went out. it was the solenoid on mine that was the start of the problem. not to say that it is on your truck but if you need to replace that is kinda easy. only took and hour in the bank parking lot where is stoped working.

 

When your starter is working propely it shoots out a shaft with a gear at the end which is done by the use of a selenoid. the shaft could be binding up and not extending properly. Thus the gear is not fully engaging with the flywheel, causing the grinding noise

 

Alright, let me just set things straight.

On an automatic transmission there is a flywheel right? And the starter on the automatic goes to the flywheel?

Just so I can organize my thoughts about how automatics work?

--Tyler

 

On an automatic, there is a FLEXPLATE. on the flexplate there are teeth. the starter, which bolts to your transmisson, has a gear that engages with the teeth on the flexplate. This is how the starter turns the motor over. If your starter is NOT engaging or meshing with the gears on the flexplate it may cause some type of noise which you are hearing.