Marietta Auto Repair

A grinding noise when you turn the key or press the start button is one of those sounds that immediately gets your attention. Sometimes the engine still starts normally. Other times the noise gets worse over a few days until the starter struggles to engage at all. The important detail is when the grinding happens. A noise during cranking points us toward a different group of parts than a noise that starts only after the engine is already running. At our shop, we listen closely to the timing, length, and location of the sound before deciding what needs to come apart. The Starter Drive May Not Be Engaging Correctly The starter motor uses a small gear to engage the larger ring gear attached to the engine. When you start the vehicle, that gear has to move into position cleanly, spin the engine, and then disengage once the engine starts. If the starter drive is worn, sticking, or not moving far enough, the teeth can scrape instead of meshing correctly. That produces a s ... read more