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CRANKING sound on engine start

bag_of_ricebag_of_rice Member Posts: 2
edited July 2016 in Toyota
Hello there!

What causes a "cranking" sound on engine start? It doesn't last long, just upon engine start and is gone when the engine is running. What must be done to fix the cause?

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  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    edited July 2016
    Might need to be a little more descriptive on the sound. Is it like a rapid, loud clicking? Could be the starter since it's only happening at startup.

    Some YouTube vids with various noises
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFdA0nLasKs
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0ENaUA_Uc

    One of them sound familiar?
  • bag_of_ricebag_of_rice Member Posts: 2
    Yes, the first short video is closest to what i'm experiencing, though i noticed this happens on warm weather especially.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    edited July 2016
    Seems likely that it's something with the starter drive gear and/or flywheel. The starter drive gear wears down over time and winds up not being able to engage the teeth on the flywheel. The noise is created as the gears grind against each other. A couple of pictures will help illustrate. First, just a basic diagram. The starter drive gear pushes forward to engage the flywheel


    When that starter gear or the flywheel teeth get worn, the starter gear will spin against the flywheel teeth and make that noise. Here's a picture of a worn starter gear


    You can see how that gear would have trouble engaging the flywheel as it pushes forward. The damage/wear to the teeth of the gears could be on the starter, the flywheel, or both.

    Here's one of a flywheel with worn/damaged teeth



    But the only way to know exactly what's going on is for a mechanic (or you if you happen to be a do-it-yourselfer with the skills) to get in there and inspect things.



  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yep, the starter should be pulled and examined and so should the flywheel, to make sure it's not damaged (hope not!).
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Yes, thinking POSITIVE thoughts!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well if the flywheel teeth are irregular, it's gonna chew up the new starter pinion gear, so......
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