New starter installed but making odd sounds Topic is solved

[gnalan]

I installed a new Volvo starter from FCPEuro, and no matter how I adjust the starter orientation I can still hear the starter gear hitting the flexplate and then sliding back off of the flexplate. Is there a particular way the starter needs to be installed? It's flush mounted with the transmission, and with the stud and the bolt in I can move the starter around a little both clockwise and counterclockwise. I can't seem to find the perfect position where the starter gear doesn't drag itself across the flexplate teeth. I don't want to end up messing my flexplate up, or breaking any of the teeth off of it or the starter.

How do you find the sweet spot when tightening the bolts so that the starter doesn't hit the teeth on the flexplate, or drag on the flexplate teeth when the starter is trying to retract the gear? I don't like that sound it's making, and of all the starters I've changed on other cars I've never had a problem until now. Has anyone else had this happen? If so, how did you fix it? Could it be a bad starter that isn't able to pull the gear back fast enough and that's why it's making the sounds it is?

[jonesg]

Had a similar problem on an older volvo, turned out to be the ignition switch wasn't springing back to pos 11.
Key could be removed and starter would keep grinding away.
Diagnosed it by jumping the starter at the starter terminals, fixed it on the cheap with a momentary push button.
Turn the key to pos 11 and hit the button, worked a charm.

[gnalan]

The starter isn't continuing to run, I just can't get the gear to mesh correctly. The starter I took off had the mounting bracket that was bolted to the block and two nuts attached to the starter. The new starter doesn't have the studs to reinstall the rear bracket.

I emailed FCPEuro, and I sent back the info they asked for this morning but haven't heard anything back from them. Doesn't look like they're going to today since it's after 4pm now.

[jonesg]

sounds like the wrong part.

[abscate]

The rear. Bracket is redundant and isn’t the problem

If you still have your old starter make some measurements on the gear and pinion to see if it matches your old. It’s definitely true that the rebuild quality has deteriorated and wrong parts can be used even from “ reputable “ rebuilders.

I did have a starter that didn’t mesh right recently. I now have mine rebuilt locally

[darylrobert]

you shouldnt have to adjust it, i swapped my starter and noticed i could pull the gear out easily by hand (worn throw out spring) compared to the used replacement which was very difficult.

[gnalan]

Seems to be ok now after around 30 starts on it. I don't hear anymore grinding of the gear and the flexplate, or hear the gear trying to slide back off of the flexplate. Hopefully it's fine now and just needed worn in a little.

[jonesg]

maybe the teeth were too sharp.
not any more they ain't. !