01 5mt hard starting.

[jaxmax]

Hello, my max has 105345 on it and has started perfectly till a few days ago. Started to get a strange noise when I turned the key. It would turn over and make a faint thump, it would not start when it did that but would start if i immediately tried again. Tonight, it started fine, drove to the store. Went to restart and it didnt sound like it was turning over but like the starter wasnt engaging anything, just whining. Panicking, thinking its a timing chain problem. I know these descriptions are hard to visualize but thought I would try. I am hoping its just my starter going out. My battery is a month old, a wal mart Maxx. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks.

[maxhopper]

Welcome to NICO.

My guess would be the starter. You shouldn't have any chain issues at that low mileage.

[loystock]

The battery may be new but check voltage is >12.5 and that battery connections are clean and tight with no corrosion on battery cables. assuming these are Ok, then based on the symptoms, it's the starter. It's also possible that the starter is just 'sticky' or the pinion gear is failing. You can actually dis-assemble the starter (make alignment marks for re-assembly), clean and lubricate the front mechanical end with White Lithium Grease and clean the rear electrical side, rotor and stator with zero-residue contact cleaner. That's what I did with the starters in our I30s.

[jaxmax]

Well my starter passed its test at Autozone, So I will be cleaning the starter as Loystock recommended. My first inclination is to put it back in and check connections "just to see" if it works. But it was such a b**** to get out that I'm going to do whatever I can to resolve this before I reinstall. My battery tested at 12.5 and I had 12.5 at the starter solenoid. I am really wondering about the switch connected to my clutch pedal, could it be that? I thought I could hear a high pitched whine when I turned the key. Almost if it was spinning but not extending onto the flywheel. This is just a guess though. It extended fine on the Autozone tester. We ran it three times.

[loystock]

A fully charged battery should have 12.6 VDC or higher. At 12.5 VDC, the charge level is @ 85%. Did you check the battery charging voltage (from alternator) with engine running? It must be >13.8 VDC (spec is 14.1-14.7 VDC).

The PNP (Park-Neutral Position) switch or Start Inhibit switch, if defective, will disable starting. You mentioned that the starter is spinning but not engaging so the PNP switch is probably good. Cleaning the starter assembly is a good idea. See link below from IoS for starter assembly and pricing.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com/partloc ... atalogid=0

[jaxmax]

Checked every relay, switch, fuse, and fusible link. No problem. Got frustrated and stuck my screwdriver between the solenoid terminals. Didnt feel comfortable with this at first but got so frustrated that I would try anything. Nothing happened. Pulled starter back out and took it to a starter shop. It was worn out. Guy replaced the internals and its perfect now. Only $58 bucks!! If your starter goes out do yourself a favor and find one of these alternator, starter shops. I've saved a bunch and have had no horror stories about replacing pieces over and over from auto parts stores. Thanks everybody!!