im not too sure of my problem but it seems about every 3rd time i try to start my engine on my 85 rx7 gs it makes like a grinding noise and then i try again and then it works... its also a manual tranny if that makes a diff. which i think it might.. im not sure it could also be likely to be something to do with the starter cause thats my guess... do you think i need a new starter or what could be my problem.. any help is wanted thanks!

 

My newest car (84 GS) was making an odd grinding noise also, and I traced it down some kind of electric motor attached to the choke assembly (choke doesnt work anyway) thing in the engine bay. It sounded all the world like stripped teeth on the flywheel or something, but it was that damn motor. It had one wire going to it, so I pulled it, hit the key and no more grinding. Maybe the same for you...

~T.J.

 

Sounds like a tooth on your ring gear is worn/broke. and when that section is engageing your starter, it is grinding, could be your starter though. You can pull the starter and take it to a auto parts store and have it tested, the ring gear can be inspected while the starter is out of the car.

 

I had the same problem and it turned out to be a bad solenoid (mounted on the starter). It might not be a bad idea to check your battery cables also.

 

That starter grinding noise if common, just let it stop spinning on its own and try again and it won't grind. This is a temp/perminant fix to that depending on budget.

 

mine does that too if i try to turn it over a few times in a row. as long as it still turns over i don't care. i cringe everytime it happens though.

 

More than likely its the starter, the teeth on the starter arent near as tough as the flywheel

 

That's the hot-start-assist system...