1998 S70 T5 Swirling Sound- need a starter?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Nov 2014, 22:52

So a day or two ago, I turn the ignition key and I hear a swirling sound as my car is trying to fire up. The time is taking longer now for the car to start with a longer swirling sound before it catches. Just wondered if this is the sound of a starter motor that is going south or if it could be something else (like the battery- but the battery is only a year or so old)? If I can get confirmation it is the starter, I'll go ahead and replace that before I'm stranded somewhere, especially at night in the cold.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 22 Nov 2014, 23:32

Holy cow! MIJ is back! Sorry, I have nothing useful to contribute here.

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 23 Nov 2014, 02:48

Welcome back MIJ!
Your problem sounds just like my problem a year ago. Starter going bad. From personal experience my best advice is not to get a couple of "good ol' boy" mechanics in East Tennessee to replace it for you! Trust me on this, it took a week to fix what they broke. lol.

Post by **phils94850** » 23 Nov 2014, 06:40

Yeah sounds like a starter. Welcome back MIJ !!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 23 Nov 2014, 08:22

Thanks guys- I still lurk on occasion- LOL. I would replace this myself anyway I would not allow Shadetree mechanic to touch my car I have learned the hard way! That said the starter is really two pieces the starter motor itself and a solenoid that's hooked to it - the smaller piece on top. Does this sound like a starter motor or the solenoid or is it just best to replace them both at once?

Btw I had to replace that starter a couple of years ago but because I was in a hurry I sourced a used local one with a short warranty- grrrr!

Post by **jreed** » 24 Nov 2014, 05:11

I replaced my starter last year because the car wouldn't turn over when it was warm or rainy out. I thought it was the starter but the root cause of the problem turned out to be a corroded positive battery terminal cable.
The swirling sound you describe makes me think of the sounds a worn out or broken gear, lever or spring in the solenoid or motor might make, but I'm just guessing. Would it be helpful to use a stethoscope on the starter when it's acting up to help pinpoint or confirm the source of the noise?

Post by **abscate** » 24 Nov 2014, 05:34

Im still having trouble hearing that sound in my head...not usually a problem for me, when they let me out of my padded room.

Its common for the small braid wire between the solenoid and starter to fail and make a good starter turn over slowly. I also used this fact on a recent starter problem and got my first valuable post on MVS in 2014, so Im sticking with it.

Definitely check battery cables and grounds before tearing your starter out.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 25 Nov 2014, 19:01

Thanks guys I will check all those wires!! Funny thing is it all started fine today...

Post by **scot850** » 25 Nov 2014, 20:29

Sounds like the starter bendix spring is failing or the solenoid is weak. Replacing the starter is my suggestion. Check all the cables (particularly the earth cables) in the engine compartment area.

Neil.

instarx · Post by **instarx** » 26 Nov 2014, 12:33

MadeInJapan wrote:Thanks guys I will check all those wires!! Funny thing is it all started fine today...

That's typical. Mine was sporadic and kept getting worse. It was most reliable when the engine was cold but when it got heated up it would sprrrrr.