Second new starter still grinds when starting

Durs22_174663
Thu, 08 Apr 2021 21:51:10 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

I’m so lost! My friend dropped off his (99 Chevy van 5.7l) cause he installed a rebuilt starter and was getting a grinding noise when he try to start it. So I told him to buy a new AC Delco starter and two new starter bolts and drop off the van. I installed everything and tighten everything to torque specs. It still grinds but not as bad as the other starter. So I thought maybe ignition. I hooked up my remote starter switch to the starter n when I engaged the starter with my starter switch it cranks the motor perfect. So thought it might be the ignition or relay. I pulled the starter relay and used the fuel pump relay. Crank it with the key with no fuel and it sounds perfect. Maybe Relay? So I Run out buy a new relay turn the key and back to grinding again. I pull the fuel pump relay turn the key and it starts perfect! Plug the fuel pump relay back in and the starter is back to grinding again. So if the fuel pump is not running it starts perfect. Give the motor fuel, the starter grinds. WTH! So I then hooked my starter switch back up. I turn the key to the run position so I have fuel press the button on my starter remote…back to grinding again! So it’s not the ignition switch ether. Looked at teeth on the flywheel they are all still there and doesn’t look warn, no cracks and not warped. Any one have any ideas? Is it even possible to hydrolock?
The starter doesn’t grind all the time. First 4 or 5 seconds it spins the motor fine then you get a grinding noise. Turn the key off, turn the key again, starter spins the flywheel for a second or two then it grinds a little then the motor starts

11 posts - 6 participants