Starter/Flexplate issues

My Cadillac is having an issue. A few days ago I went to start it and it made a weird noise. I can't really describe it it was loud and scary. Then when the car started it was making some banging knocking noises. I drove the car and it went away. It comes and goes intermittently.

I suspect there is a crack or something in the flexplate. The car cranks more slowly now as if the battery is weak. I had the battery tested and it is good.

Now, I let someone use the car. It is now stuck. The starter just spins freely. Either the starter is broken, or the motor stopped on a broken flexplate tooth. Question is, assuming it is stuck on a broken tooth, can I just turn the engine at the crank and start it? The car is down in RI and I am in the cape so I need to plan ahead. Thoughts or suggestions? Starter or flexplate?

Crap! Wish I had an answer for you.
IMO If you only plan on 1 trip you need to trailer it.
You need to plan for worst case= expired flex plate.
Even if you started it you dont want to drive it like that.
Unless you have local RI help. That would change your options.

Yeah, that sucks man. May be in for a tow home...

BUT, it could be the starter itself. Maybe the awful noise you were hearing was the gear staying engaged once the car started... And now the solenoid can't kick it out anymore.

AAA

bowtiepimp wrote:

AAA

+1!
When I did the trans on my 1A2, I replaced the flex plate because of the welds holding the teeth on were cracked. Hopefully its just a starter!

I assumed it was what it was before when I heard noises like that; the catalytic converter breaking up. Started in RI. I drove it to the cape and back to RI. Now I need it back here. I have no AAA and I have no help. I'd rather not blow all that money on a tow. I'd prefer to spend the money on a new flexplate if needed. I also have access to lifts here on cape. If it's just the starter, I have a lifetime warranty on an Autozone vette starter.

I'd pull that shield down that covers the flex plate and take a peak. I had a problem with the tan wagon, I'd accelerate and hear a LOUD noise that scared the shit out of me. Sounded like the file plate was broken or something. Pulled the shield off, and a piece of the starter had broken off and was getting tossed around in there. Was a miracle that the starter still worked. The broken piece was supposed to stop the rod on the starter from going out too far. Maybe the issue your having but the starter gave out also?

I might be going to RI area tommorow if ye need a hand. Also when you bought the starter did they give you the shims? IDK if yours needs it but I just did one on a 99 3500 and it had them plus had more teeth. Text me if ya need me.

I never changed the starter in this. I have the warranty from my Caprice. I'm hoping that's my problem, Paul. A broken starter and not a broken part of my engine.

Ted, call me or text me and let me know when you're heading down. If you go I'd ride with you so I can drive my caddy back. I'll toss you some dough for gas.

no problem give ya t text when I know whats going on for tommorow

96Brougham wrote:

I'd pull that shield down that covers the flex plate and take a peak. I had a problem with the tan wagon, I'd accelerate and hear a LOUD noise that scared the shit out of me. Sounded like the file plate was broken or something. Pulled the shield off, and a piece of the starter had broken off and was getting tossed around in there. Was a miracle that the starter still worked. The broken piece was supposed to stop the rod on the starter from going out too far. Maybe the issue your having but the starter gave out also?

Starter was broken. Literally.

Got a new Corvette starter for free. Thanks to my Autozone lifetime warranty on the starter I put in my Caprice. Laid on my back in a parking lot with a flashlight and my tools and swapped it out.

Still have a horrid banging noise coming from under the car every now and then. I suspect there is a piece of the starter hanging out in the inspection cover. At least I got the car home. I'm going to put it on a lift tomorrow drop the cover and remove it.

On another note, got my Caprice here finally, too. It's now sitting in a nice big warehouse out of the elements.

Carnage

Wow, never seen that happen before...

I just replaced one that looked just like that in a 98 buick lesabre,
Was caused by engine kickback. Possibly from fuel issues,bad PCM, misfiring, crank position sensor, and there was a few other things on the list.
Maybe you got a CPS going?

The car runs absolutely perfect so I don't really understand. No check engine light.

The one on my tan wagon wasnt split down the middle, but that end piece was broken off like that one. There's def a piece in there getting thrown around by the flex plate, same thing happened on the tan wagon. On hard acceleration it would get tossed around and sounded AWFUL

My guess is that it stayed engaged when the car started and the engine won the battle.

Good call that it was probably the starter though, Paul.

toomanytoyz wrote:

My guess is that it stayed engaged when the car started and the engine won the battle.......

Agreed, that didnt split without a fight.
I've had the solenoid seperate from the body but never split the housing...wow

Holy crap! Never expected to see that!

95brmw Was that your youtube vid? If so the guy in the background talking had me just short of wetting myself with his running comentary.

nttyfufu wrote:

95brmw Was that your youtube vid? If so the guy in the background talking had me just short of wetting myself with his running comentary.

No, my videos are no where near that entertaining

Ya me neither.

95brmw wrote:

nttyfufu wrote:

95brmw Was that your youtube vid? If so the guy in the background talking had me just short of wetting myself with his running comentary.

No, my videos are no where near that entertaining

Mine just have me swearing and losing my train of thought....awful to watch!