Starter Noise?! RB25

[300Plus]

Well when I go to crank the rb the starter reacts instantly but sounds like its "clanking or banging" against the flywheel for a sec. As in the motor spins for a sec then clanking then spinning and sometimes clanking while spinning lol but it always starts pretty quickly... I figured it was a bad solenoid on the starter so yanked it off and had it bench tested (showed to be "perfect") and had the guy open up the solenoid and look inside, and he assured me it would be pointless to rebuild because it was in such perfect condition.

The problem seems to happen about 95% of all starts but sometimes it cranks right up... While I had the starter off I looked at the exposed flywheel teeth which looked to be in perfect condition like the day I installed it... I've got a Spec stage 5+ clutch and a new z32 Throw out bearing... don't know what it could be.

The only thing else I can think of is wiring. I have a turbo timer harness installed and the car was an auto so I had to jump the wires together in the engine bay at the fuse box (S14) and it use to crank fine... I unplugged the turbo timer harness and plugged everything back up as it were stock and no luck. Also I have my Optima red top in the trunk where the positive cable runs through the car and directly to the starter post... so should be getting enough juice... I think its something small I'm just overlooking

any help would be appreciated guys! thanks!

[rustbucket]

Im confuesed, does it make the noise after the starter has been engaged and the engine is started? When you let off the ignition/starter switch and it starts to make a clinky grindy sound?

[300Plus]

Sorry thought I covered it all. the noise starts as soon as I turn the key and the starter engages, but it does stop when the motor starts. its not stickying or anything just clunking when I'm turning the key

[rustbucket]

Sounds like it could be the starter motor, you can try taking the starter out and wire it up to simulate a start and see if it still makes the same noise, but it might not since there is no mechanical load on it.

[300Plus]

well the starter was bench tested and I was told it was "perfect". which is wiring it up on a bench and spinning it over... so up for more ideas?

[eh?]

Check and make sure your connections are clean and tight. Just a little corrosion and the resulting poor contact could be confused as a bad battery or starter.

[rotorimp]

I would pull it out and look at the teeth-Double check that the solenoid is throwing it out far enough.

[300Plus]

Check and make sure your connections are clean and tight. Just a little corrosion and the resulting poor contact could be confused as a bad battery or starter.

Doing that this weekend. I'm thinking maybe the "exciter" wire that slides on the spade connector is dirty or something. I know the main post is clean and clear.

I would pull it out and look at the teeth-Double check that the solenoid is throwing it out far enough.

The teeth on the starter were in perfect shape. but if the cleaning and checking the wires doesn't go well I plan to yank it back out and spin the flywheel to inspect every tooth.

Thanks for the tips guys!

[nizmo zilvia]

How long have you had this problem for? Did you change the clutch / flywheel yourself? Are you using any aftermarket or still oem parts? How long have you been running your setup before this started doing this if it hasn't had any problems up until now?

[300Plus]

installed the flywheel and clutch myself, ran it for about 2 months then the problem came up. and like i said it was hit and miss sometimes it would sometimes it wouldn't. hoping its just wiring...

the clutch is a stage 5+ Spec on stock flywheel

[Arrow]

To me (and I'm no technician) it sounds like the starter isn't alights just right. I had almost the identical problem that you're having w/ my KA.

I had removed the starter to replace my TOB and once I put everything back in and started the car it was making a noise similar to what you're describing.

The solution: I adjusted the tightness of the starter bolts (I had them torqued in there relatively well) and after tweaking w/ the torque of the bolts for a few minutes I stoped the problem all together!

Basically I believe that the bolts were putting too much pressure on the starter (in my case) so that once the starter engaged it made noise when it disengaged - which made noise basically as soon as I turned the key and continued for a split second after I stopped and the engine was running...

I hope this is somewhat helpful to you and good luck fixing your problem!

[skribblah]

throw it in the river

[300Plus]

To me (and I'm no technician) it sounds like the starter isn't alights just right. I had almost the identical problem that you're having w/ my KA.

I had removed the starter to replace my TOB and once I put everything back in and started the car it was making a noise similar to what you're describing.

The solution: I adjusted the tightness of the starter bolts (I had them torqued in there relatively well) and after tweaking w/ the torque of the bolts for a few minutes I stoped the problem all together!

Interesting... so you had the bolts too tight? I'm trying to picture how that would cause the noise?

throw it in the river

Which river? wait... you almost got me

[Arrow]

For some reason the starter bolts being torqued down too tight put just enough compression on the metal around the bolts to allow for the starter gear to bind a bit with the flywheel. I don't know how to better explain it than that. I previously did not know that the tightness of the bolts could have that effect on things b/c I figured that the metal wasn't being compressed enough to cause any issues as long as the bolts were tight enough that they didn't back out and whatnot... But apparently I was proven wrong and I guess that the tolerances are close enough that over tightening the bolts can create binding...

Basically the noise was the starter trying to retract / disengage the starter gear from the flywheel but b/c of the tension or slight binding it was not able to freely disengage when it wanted to - causing the noise

I hope that this cleared up things a bit for you.

[300Plus]

Still having this problem. Looking for possible replacements, anyone have an RB starter laying around ?

to refresh. basically the starter starts the car but clunks as its doing it. almost as if the power is being cut in and out to the starter...

[Racinjitter]

You

Still having this problem. Looking for possible replacements, anyone have an RB starter laying around ?

to refresh. basically the starter starts the car but clunks as its doing it. almost as if the power is being cut in and out to the starter...

You can pick up a brand new starter from oriellys part number 16203, napa part number 2444517 or 16203. That is what I would do atleast. And they cost way less than pretty much anyone would sell you a used one for @ ~ 45 bucks.

[300Plus]

You

You can pick up a brand new starter from oriellys part number 16203, napa part number 2444517 or 16203. That is what I would do atleast. And they cost way less than pretty much anyone would sell you a used one for @ ~ 45 bucks.

did some digging and ran across this recent info last night. Hope to confirm it tomorrow. I did pick up the 16203 from discount auto and the solenoid is in a different spot then the pic napa has of the 2444517. and where it is interferes with the "T" fitting on the lower heater core hose out of the back of the block. So much so it wont go on. But I will be returning that one and getting the napa one in the morning. so maybe by the end of the day I'll have it on aswell. Will make new thread and post pics of that too

[styc]

have you checked the clearance between the pinion gear and the ring gear?

did your mechanic do any tests on the components of the starter? or just look at the parts?