starting noises on 97 Sub

BIG BLUE · December 11, 2001

Hey fellas,

Haven't had a chance to post in a while due to long working hours, but have been monitoring now and then to keep "in the loop". Anyway, have a potential problem with Mrs. BIG BLUE's 97 Sub. She mentioned today that a couple of times last week when she tried to start the truck it made the infamous "whirrrring" sound and the starter would not engage. However, on the next key turn no problem, started like normal. It happened to me today too, but like before the next key turn it fired right up.

So, I'm thinking a few possibilities here; starter going bad?, solenoid not engaging?, maybe a broken tooth on the flywheel?, corrosion on the positive cable?, and lastly maybe it's not shimmed properly? (or do the small block V8 get no shims? can't remember). Any suggestions on what the cause?

As a side-note, a few months ago I installed a new Optima red-top and inspected cables and am using a Scoche terminal connector that has not budged since install. I'm sure it's the original starter (105K miles) so it's probably due to shake hands with Elvis anyway. If it is the starter a recommendation on brand and approx. price would be appreciated as well. Sorry, didn't have a chance to check the archives or #1 Son's page due to lack of time, thanks for all the help!

BIG BLUE

P.S. In a pinch, should I keep the "BFH" tool in Sub to give the starter that gentle "tap" to help seat the teeth or are these newer ones not able to withstand the whack! Seems like I remember ceramic innards in these now?

raventai · December 11, 2001

if it were the flywheel she would get that nasty grrrrrrrrr gears striping noise (like when u go to start after it is already started) out of shim would do the same

from your discription it sounds like the starter motor is turning without load to a high rpm no grinding so:

the bendix should kick the start gear at a verry low voltage so I doubt the wireing/battery is to blame, eaven when your battery is dead the statrer will engage but not turn the motor fast enuf

I say it has to be the starter

as for brands there is part store stuf that is sometimes good sometimes not, and dealer $$$$$$ but reliable for another 100,000 miles

can u get starters from www.gmpartsdirect.com ?