I have 1991 Trooper with a manual trans and 2.6l motor. Just today it began making a grinding noise when I start it that only lasts for a second or two.

When I first turn the key, everything sounds fine, then, just a second before the motor catches, I get the grinding noise. My guess is that my starter motor is going.

Any other ideas? If it is going, does anyone have any tips for me on how to replace it? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Thanks.

EDIT: See me next post in this thread for an explanation of what happened...

I would say it is the starter, not sure on any tips to replace it, but it should be pretty straight forward. When you get the starter down, check the teeth and make sure that it hasn't chewed up the flywheel too bad. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

On the way home from work this afternoon, a new problem got thrown into the mix. I stopped at a local parts store to get a new starter motor and when I came back out, the truck started even rougher than it has been starting the last two days. I started it up and headed for home...

Right in front of my house, the battery, O2, oil, and brake lights came on. I pulled into the garage and shut it off quickly. After I got out and inspected it, I found that the alternator had come loose of its moorings and there was nearly no tension on the belt that rides over the crank pulley. I loosened the bolt fully, pushed the housing as far to the driver's side as it would go, and cranked it back down. I hoped somehow that the noise I've been hearing would magically go away and I wouldn't need to pay the $100 for a new starter, but the godawful grinding noise was still there, of course.

At any rate, it still sounds awful, but now the idiot lights are off. I'm driving it as little as possible until Friday when I can swap the starter out.

Again, does this still sound like the starter? Any tips, tricks, hints, or secrets for when I do this job? This'll be the first time I've ever done a starter, so any help would be appreciated.

EDIT: edited post for clarity. Sorry about the confusion.

No, it absolutely doesn't sound like the starter!!!!

it's the alternator! ! ! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />




yes, haynes or chiltons manuals at most any parts store, or library. or helmsinc.com factory workshop manuals

good luck

since it had shifted out of position, it probably lost some teeth on the pinion and/or grinded a few off the flywheel ring and does not engage properly now. once you remove it you can tell for sure.

and if your belts were that loose then your other problem was probably the alt as mentioned^.

Ok, this is good to know. I actually have a new starter sitting in my garage ready to go in tonight. When I tried to start it this afternoon after work, it just plain wouldn't start. Luckily, I planned for this eventuality and parked facing downhill, so the rolling start was easy... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, it finally gave up the ghost and made the godawful racket again. This begs a few questions:

1. Why do you say that it's the alternator? Understand that I'm a relative noob here, so talk slow.

2. Have I damaged the starter? Does it need to be replaced anyway? If not, I can return it and swap for the alternator.

3. If it is the alternator, is this something I can replace relatively easily? What must I do to be sure that it goes as smoothly as possible (i.e., hints, tips, tricks, etc.)

4. If it is the alternator, does it have anything to do with the fact that I installed a new cam (Delta) in this a few months ago and we had to adjust the timing afterwards? Did I inadvertently cause a problem due to the modifications?

5. How can I tell for sure if the alternator is bad? Keep in mind that all the electrical stuff (horn, lights, stereo, etc) still works just fine.



I actually already have two Chilton's laying around here. I've already consulted them.

I eagerly await what you guys have to say; I'm holding off working on it until I hear more from you Isuzu gurus... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

EDIT: By the way, I began to have trouble starting it well before I discovered the loose belts and the lights didn't come on until about a day or two after it first began to start rough. Also, once I tightened everything back up, all of the idiot lights went off, but it still started really rough. Now, it won't start by turning the key at all. The only way I can get it started is by rolling it downhill and popping the clutuch. Then it runs just fine. No electrical problems, no stalling, nothing.

Still think it's the alternator? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> A virtual beer to anyone who helps me figure this out. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Maybe a real one if you're close by and can meet me somewhere in the next few days. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

As disappointing as this is, I think this job is beyond my ability. I just spent some time poking around under the truck , and I can't figure out how in the hell I could reach the solenoid wiring to disconnect it, nor can I figure out how I would actually get the starter out of the engine compartment if I could get the wiring unhooked.

Looks like this may be one for my mechanic. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

The way you talked about the starter coming loose and there being no belt tension sounded like you were mistaking the alternator for the starter. To be sure, the starter and belts have nothing to do with each other.

It sounds like you may of/are grinding teeth off the starter or flexplate/flywheel.

If the alternator was bad then the brake and battery lights (and a few more lights depending) would be lit meaning your running off the battery instead of the alternator.

The alternator is easy to replace, I did mine last weekend.

A cam and timing adjustments would not affect the alternator.

Yeah, it sounds like you are talking about the alt with the belt and everything, but it does sound like your starter isn't working. The starter on your motor is on the passenger side on the top where the bellhousing and engine meet. You should see a little buldge in the bellhousing where it attaches. Its actually very easy to take off, although getting it out was near impossible with all the lines in the way. I know this because I just took my trans out of my Rodeo with the same engine. There should be one bolt and one nut that holds the starter in place. Really replacing the starter should be very easy. Good luck.

My starter did this a few months before my truck died, it turned out that the gearing inside the starter had eaten itself up, and thankfully there was nothing wrong with the new ring gear I had just installed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


As for getting to the solinoid wire I used a ratchet wrench that gave me just enough room to get 2 clicks of a turn.....Its real tight in there, once you get the nut and bolt off let it drop and try to twist, turn, and fandangle it outta there, then reverse the above mentioned jirations to get it back up in there.


HTH

Madcat <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />