My car has a sweet sound when starting now!!

[R Dubya]

bought one out of an '01 Lumina 3100 the other day, big difference in size as stated before, and a lot easier to access as well.  Should have done this long ago.  It's a workout putting the larger one in, this one was a breeze.   Can't wait to hear it start. 

[turby]

But something tells me someone else on here will say he only paid $10 for his and it was brand new. :icon_rolleyes:

Not a bad price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3400-3-4-3100-3-1-2-2-Chevy-Pontiac-Buick-Starter_W0QQitemZ8057911695QQcategoryZ33576QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[LukeZ34]

Bring this oldie back to the top. Wish I would have found this before I started in on the starter swap tonight.

Whoever worked on this car in the past LOVED black RTV.. the solenoid connections are covered in the shit, which makes it nearly impossible to get the terminal bolts off.   :icon_evil:

[LukeZ34]

Got the old SOB out, and the new (used) one in.
However, it's still as loud and shitty sounding as it was before. Any ideas why? The starter is from an 02' Olds mini van w/ 15K on it.
What signifigance do the shims have?

[Invasion1]

whats the sound like??

shims effect the contact points when the starter is enguaged.....mine only needed one and no odd noises.

[LukeZ34]

Here's video.. don't mind the messy garage, lol.

http://www.lukez34.com/tgpstart1.MPG
http://www.lukez34.com/tgpstart2.MPG

[Invasion1]

ya i think there is a fitment problem....how many shims do you have in there?

sounds like its enguaging to far or to close to the flywheel and it will cause that horrable sound.

[GangstGP]

sounds good to me.

I dont know , I just went outside to start my car and see. It sounded like a honda starter. In fact, you close the door and you can almost not even hear it.

so yea, I guess use 1 thin shim or no shim and try it.

[LukeZ34]

2 shims, both the same size.

[LukeZ34]

I've been doing some reading on the intarweb, and from what I've gathered I need to remove 1 shim. I may give that a try tonight and see what results I get.

[twinturbosedan]

i dont' think i used any shims.  good luck!

[LukeZ34]

Removed one shim, and it sounds MUCH better now. No more nasty grinding and scratching sounds!

[Invasion1]

victory!