My '99 F150 4.6 has a problem with what I think is the starter. When I put the key in and turn it, it makes a really loud screech noise. Sometimes it does this up to 3x before the engine will turn over. However, if I put the key in, turn it halfway so my dash lights up, pause a minute, and then turn it the rest of the way, it will usually start right up. Does anyone know what the problem may be? I'm thinking maybe a starter or flywheel problem. Any info on the topic is appreciated. thanks!

Dave

 

Probably time for a new starter.

 

**** TEXAS DAVE! i got the same problem for the last....year lol aint done anything yet. i looked at the gears on my started and my mechanic said they where fine. ima run mine till it dies

 

Hey there, So turns out I have a bad spot on my Fly wheel where the starter will catch sometimes causing the screech/grinding noise. Its gunna cost me about $500 to replace it because of how hard it is to access the flywheel. So Right now I carry a wrench with me and whenever My starter hangs up I crawl under my truck give the nut on my flywheel a good turn, to get it over the bad patch, and it starts right up. haha its cheap, but it works for now!

 

shoot i just got a new engine wouldnt that be replaced to? o snap...this sucks! can i get a pic of the broken part??

 

Texas, that will work for a while but these things are inclined to call it quits in the most inconvenient place at the most inconvenient time. Been there, done that! I used to strong arm the fan and that worked for a while.

 

Takelababy, Yeah no joke! After i had to crawl under my truck in 20 degree weather to turn my fan I have decided to take in to the shop tomorrow. $502 is the estimate with 4.5 hours of labor. I'll let y'all know how it works out.
Fordordie1- I'll try and post a pict up soon, after I get to broken fly wheel out. What sucks is I can't do it myself. But to access the flywheel you have to drop the transmission... which is why I'm paying for so much labor. :/

 

Mines been doing this for years now and had it taken to a few different shops and they couldn't figure it out and said the flywheel was fine. nice to hear there is something that can be done to fix it.

 

yeah mine does it every now and again when i try to start it. i stop for a second and then it bites

 

Here the mechanics call it the ring gear. It looks like a saw blade. The starter screeches because it's trying to engage the ring gear where a tooth has broken. Because of all the labor involved, I shied away from those cars that had internal belts and stuck to older Ford pickups.

 

I used to have the same problem as you guys and I was able to fix it.

It's the flywheel. The reason your mechanics say that the flywheel is fine is that usually the only part you can see through the torque converter drain port on the bottom of the tranny is just a small area and it usually is fine.

Because of the compression inside these motors I noticed mine tends to always stop in the same 4 spots. So only 4 spots around the flywheel are being used for the majority of the starting.

When I went to rebuild my tranny I took a look at my flywheel and this is what I found:



The teeth on the ring gear were worn like this in 4 places around the flywheel. So it is the flywheel, and usually not the starter. Just replace it with a good one like I did and the problem should stop.

- Erik

 

yeah... a high pitched screeeeach is the starter not contacting the flywheel properly and will definitely mess up one of the two. The fix is so costly because the trans has to be disconnected and moved back for access

 

yeah my 4.2l is having the same issue, mine starts up every time but once every week it makes that noise, and lately my truck doesn't start up as fast either it seems like its cranking slowly and it causes a boat load of torque to whip through my truck and slaps it side to side for 2 or 3 seconds.

 

But, before you have someone start digging into the engine have your starter checked. Altho the gears on the starter may look fine, the shaft may not be engaging properly.