Hello folks, perhaps someone here can give me an idea as to the problem I am having with my Accord. Here's what I have:

1994 Honda Accord EX 4cy, VTEC, sedan.

I've been having problems with my starter for sometime now and finally found the time and money to replace it myself. Other than having to deal with such a tight space to work with, I was able to replace the starter easily. To my surprise, shortly after installation, I've notice a high squealing noise when starting the car; somewhat like gears grinding. So, here I am thinking it's a bad starter or the new starter is grinding on the flywheel. Since the starter has a lifetime warrenty I decided to swap it and to determine if indeed the starter was grinding on the flywheel. After replacing the starter again and determining that there was no physical signs of gear grinding on the flywheel nor starter the problem seemed to have gone away... so I thought. A few days later, occasionally this problem would come back. Anyone out there know or has experience this problem? I have replace the starter a second time with the same results.

Thanks for your input.

 

I had the same thing happen to me too. the starter may not been lined up perfectly before. you may end up having to shim it slightly to ensure a propper fit. some aftermarket starters end up being a hair off when they are remanufactured. I had to do the same thing as you replace a starter a year after I first replaced it but no problems since then.

good luck and feel free to pm me if you have any other questions..

 

Shim it huh? Forgive me for asking a dumb question but how would you go about that? I am farily new to auto repair and just recently taken up the challenge. From what I can determine, it seems to be lined up... but the possibility of error is there. I did reinstall the old starter to determine if the problem was one I created with the new unit but found no problem with noise other then the fact that it took several trys to turn the engine as prior.

 

Sorry to bump this, but does anyone else have an idea to this problem? I had asked a mechanic about this and he wasn't sure either.

 

replace the manufactered starter. you shouldnt need to shim it unless oem vehicle calls for it. for example....for explorer and brothrens i believe. not all remanufactured parts are a ok. take it back...say it grinds when you star it. try a new one...then post for all to see.

 

This is the third starter I replace... same results.

 

When trying to save some $$ by doing the job yourself, it's wise to shop around... but when it comes to quality parts, saving $$ is not worth the trouble nor time. As waaBAAH stated, "not all remanufacture parts" are the same as I found out, evan when they look excatly the same. After a several weeks of replace starters, I finaly spent the extra $100 for a starter from a well known auto shop. The first two starters I bought were from: AutoZone and Advance Auto for under $100. Both starters gave me the squealing noise, even after reinstalling a new one from the same brand. Finally spent $200 on a starter from Checkers Auto... works like the original. No squealing, no gear grinding. I have to say though, that both AutoZone and Advance Auto still deny that their starters were the cause and that my flywheel needed to be replace. Most of the parts they sell are less then the other (Napa, Checkers, etc...) but don't waste your time if you want quality parts.