Can a bad starter motor damage the flywheel?

Failure to resolve this problem will result in damage to the flywheel – which could be a very expensive fix. Starter engages but your car won’t start – if you’re hearing the starter motor activate, but it’s failing to crank the engine, then this will be down to the flywheel and other gears failing to engage properly.

Can you damage a flywheel?

The clashing of the starter drive into the flywheel teeth over time will damage that section of the flywheels teeth if the driver continually engages the ignition when the car is already running. Poor maintenance can also damage the flywheel over time: weak batteries and aged equipment cause flywheel problems.

Can a bad starter cause electrical problems?

The starter is part of your car’s electrical system and subject to blown fuses and short circuits. When you’ve been desperately attempting to start your car, the starter can overheat making electrical issues—and the accompanying smoke—more likely.

What kind of noise does a bad flywheel make?

Loose flywheel or flexplate bolts make a rattling or knocking sound that changes with engine speed. It’s heard behind the engine, where it mounts to the transmission bellhousing.

What can break a flywheel?

If you’ve ever overheated your flywheel or driven too long with a clutch that was on its last legs, it is very likely that you have damaged the flywheel due to excessive heat or metal on metal wear. Clutches that are worn down to the rivets will damage the flywheel.

What problems can a bad starter cause?

One of the symptoms of a bad starter is a clicking noise when you turn the key or push the start button. However, a starter can die without making any sound at all, or it may announce its impending death with whirring and grinding noise—so listen up!

How much does it cost to fix a flywheel?

The replacement cost of a flywheel can range considerably. There are some flywheels which cost under $50 while others cost as much as $400 or more. It all depends on what type of car you drive, how durable the flywheel is, and whether the part is an exact OEM replacement or aftermarket.

Does a flywheel keep your car from starting?

The flywheel provides mass for rotational inertia to keep your car’s engine running . Otherwise, the engine will stall when you let your foot off the accelerator. It balances the engine. A flywheel is specifically weighted to the car’s crankshaft to smooth out the rough feeling caused by even a slight imbalance. It allows for an electric starter.

Why does my starter make a grinding noise?

Usually a grinding noise is due to either a worn starter bendix , worn flywheel, the starter coming loose or it needs to be shimmed. But without knowing the type of vehicle all I can do is give you the possibilities. Good luck and hope this helps.

Can a starter spin without engaging the flywheel?

Free spinning is when, for some reason, the starter gear is just spinning without contacting anything . The sound is similar to that of a small drill spinning. When this happens there can be an issue with either the flywheel or the starter. In the case of the flywheel, the teeth might be sheared off in one area, or off the entire flywheel.

Why does the starter grind the flywheel?

A grinding sound can occur when one of two things happens. The most common problem is that the starter gear has broken and is making noise. The less common of the two is that the teeth of the flywheel have been worn down. This causes the starter gear to not engage properly and grind against the flywheel.