# 2012 Buick LaCrosse whines when I try to start it

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-buick-lacrosse-whines-when-i-try-to-start-it/160064>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** lacrosse, buick\
**Created:** [March 1, 2020, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-buick-lacrosse-whines-when-i-try-to-start-it/160064 "2020-03-01T17:14:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Akbatts1\_164456](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8c91f0/32.png) [@Akbatts1\_164456](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Akbatts1_164456)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2020, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-buick-lacrosse-whines-when-i-try-to-start-it/160064/1 "2020-03-01T17:14:41Z")

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When I turn the key it makes a whining noise and will not start. It sounds like the starter is not catching the flywheel I put a new starter in and it still does the same thing. Can anyone help me please?

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-buick-lacrosse-whines-when-i-try-to-start-it/160064/2 "2020-03-01T22:46:50Z")

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Did you inspect the teeth on the ring gear prior to installing the new starter?

Tester

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**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [March 1, 2020, 11:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-buick-lacrosse-whines-when-i-try-to-start-it/160064/3 "2020-03-01T23:33:31Z")

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The torque converter drive plate may have broke, remove the starter and see if you can turn the ring gear by hand and if it rotates the engine.

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**Author:** ![Akbatts1\_164456](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8c91f0/32.png) [@Akbatts1\_164456](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Akbatts1_164456)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2020, 4:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2012-buick-lacrosse-whines-when-i-try-to-start-it/160064/4 "2020-03-09T04:06:16Z")

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Thanks guys I took it to the Buick dealership they said it skipped time basically I need a engine 🤬