Hi all, I have a 1999 2.5 auto that's developed a starting issue. It was making a load grinding noise occasionally when I turned the key. My local garage recommended replacing the starter, which I agreed with, costing £200.The garage did say that there was a slight amount of wear on the ring gear, but not too much. The problem has returned after 3 days. I had the battery checked and it is 100% ok. A friend has suggested it could be the earth strap, can anyone tell me if this could be the case and where on the chassis to look for this please? Any other thoughts would be appreciated. Its only done 44000 miles, I feel I may have sell as I don't think its worth spending hundreds more on replacing the ring gear. Such a shame as I have owned the car for 2 years now and I love it. Thanks for taking the time to read this issue regards Marco
Starting problems with my 2.5 Auto
- Thread starter ukmarco20
- Start date
Easy test for the earth strap.
I'll tell you now, it's not likely to be the ring gear, that's a solid-flywheel* failure that generally belongs the in 1950s unless something odd has happened.
Anyway, the earth strap.
Two tests you can try;
1) Put a jump-lead between the battery negative terminal and the other crocodile clip firmly on to the gearbox. If it fires up, that's your issue.
2) Turn the headlamps on, crank the engine, if the lamps don't dim the stater isn't drawing current.
If it's lazy the second test won't prove a lot.
*Re-reads original post, I spotted it too!
I'll tell you now, it's not likely to be the ring gear, that's a solid-flywheel* failure that generally belongs the in 1950s unless something odd has happened.
Anyway, the earth strap.
Two tests you can try;
1) Put a jump-lead between the battery negative terminal and the other crocodile clip firmly on to the gearbox. If it fires up, that's your issue.
2) Turn the headlamps on, crank the engine, if the lamps don't dim the stater isn't drawing current.
If it's lazy the second test won't prove a lot.
*Re-reads original post, I spotted it too!
sounds like the ring gear to me.. does it only do it whilst trying to start it
as far as im aware autos dont have a solid flywheel,the torque converter bolts to a pressed steel plate which carries the ring gear. ..my scorpio ring gear wore away andt it would occasionally slip causing a loud gear teeth slipping noise that would turn heads at garages.
take the starter off and using a torch look at the gear teeth on the flywheel..are the edges on one side rounded?
if so what happens is when the starter pushes the gear forward to engage instead of meshing nicly with the ring gear it gets shoved back causing the noise and slip.
unfortunately replacing the starter on mine did not help ether and it had to have the ring gear replaced..sorry.
as far as im aware autos dont have a solid flywheel,the torque converter bolts to a pressed steel plate which carries the ring gear. ..my scorpio ring gear wore away andt it would occasionally slip causing a loud gear teeth slipping noise that would turn heads at garages.
take the starter off and using a torch look at the gear teeth on the flywheel..are the edges on one side rounded?
if so what happens is when the starter pushes the gear forward to engage instead of meshing nicly with the ring gear it gets shoved back causing the noise and slip.
unfortunately replacing the starter on mine did not help ether and it had to have the ring gear replaced..sorry.