1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Starting SCREAMING. Is this bad...or just rotary?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 01:55 AM
  #1  
Cody's Avatar
Thread Starter
SKELETOR!
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 0
From: Prescott Valley, AZ
Starting SCREAMING. Is this bad...or just rotary?

Hey people....

This is something that happens intermittantly, and I believe I have seen a post about this, like 2000 years ago....but, I thought I'd just check again, to see if someone knows what it is......and if it means starter replacement time...or what.

Now, like I said, only SOMETIMES, when I turn the key to start the 7, instead of just turning over....the starter, or...what I am assuming is the starter.....will sound like a banshee scream, until I let the key go once the car starts. Now, each time it does it, it still is turning the engine over, and still starts the car....nothing is just free spinning.

Frankly, it amuses me, since it's one more thing to baffle fellow employees at a local auto parts store about the rotary.....but, whats making it do that?

Is the starter dying? Could it mean something is loose? Easy fix?.....what gives?
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 04:47 AM
  #2  
Aico's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
From: The Netherlands/Dordrecht
Ain't it the belts maybe?

Or is it a real metal rattling?
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 04:57 AM
  #3  
XLR8's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (52)
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,902
Likes: 10
From: NJ
Silinoid
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 08:55 AM
  #4  
Mschafe's Avatar
Where did my 7 go?
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville, MN
I've heard it... it's kind of a loud motor-bearing seizing noise, but amazingly the car still starts (i was actually amazed). Ahhh.. just post a sound clip cody.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 08:57 AM
  #5  
GavinJuice's Avatar
Leave A Message
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 1
From: MN
That screaming sound is from the starter and it really is no big deal. I have a friend who has an 85 nissan maxima and it does it all the time. Its actually quite funny since people look and stare while we laugh our asses off. To remedy the problem i would just go and buy a new starter, or have someone repair it.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2003 | 10:04 AM
  #6  
Dcrasta's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: WDC
I had an autozone starter that sounded like that. Man it was funny for about a month (starter stopped working). Got a free replacement and the sound went away.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:32 AM
  #7  
nekky's Avatar
wtb 1g rx7 jdm shiz
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
It's the brushes in the starter most likely. Exact same thing happened to me this summer. If your car just DOESN'T wanna start one day, get under the car and hit the starter. It'll start right up. DO NOT keep doing this; fix it. One day, the banging just won't work and you'll finally be stuck.

Zac
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:41 AM
  #8  
brianw's Avatar
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Hannibal MO
Mine does the same thing but only when the car is warmed up.
Is this the same problem. I have been assuming that the starter is just going out.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 11:58 AM
  #9  
82streetracer's Avatar
8/1 Building/Drive Ratio
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,397
Likes: 1
From: Mound, MN
your never stuck with a standard gearbox.

push starting is always a option.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 03:42 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 376
Likes: 0
From: KY
Originally posted by nekky
It's the brushes in the starter most likely. Exact same thing happened to me this summer. If your car just DOESN'T wanna start one day, get under the car and hit the starter. It'll start right up. DO NOT keep doing this; fix it. One day, the banging just won't work and you'll finally be stuck.

Zac
stuck?! what is this stuck you speak of? Ever heard of roll starting?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 03:53 PM
  #11  
bliffle's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 0
From: SF BayArea
I've had nothing but bad luck with rebuilt starters. Instead of buying a rebuilt (which is someone elses broken starter with a hells-angel-rebuild) just rebuild your own good starter. All you need is brushes and bushings, and it's an easy job once the starter is out. And it only costs about ten bucks! Just remember to impregnate the sintered bronze nose bearing with oil (I do it by placing the bushing on a thumb, fillup the bearing with engine oil, and press hard with the other thumb to force it into the bushing interstices).

B
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 03:57 PM
  #12  
Pedestrian X's Avatar
SpAz!
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 1
From: CA
Originally posted by nekky
It's the brushes in the starter most likely. Exact same thing happened to me this summer. If your car just DOESN'T wanna start one day, get under the car and hit the starter. It'll start right up. DO NOT keep doing this; fix it. One day, the banging just won't work and you'll finally be stuck.

Zac
Yup, same thing used to happen to my buddies old Subuaru wagon. Would have ot pull out a tire iron and spank the starter a few times. It was an auto, so roll startin it was not an option.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 04:22 PM
  #13  
Suparslinc's Avatar
It's Back!
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati
Is it something called the "bendix arm" not engaging correctly?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2003 | 06:53 PM
  #14  
timmya2's Avatar
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola
theres a banshee in yur engine screaming
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2003 | 01:19 AM
  #15  
RRTEC's Avatar
Rotartist
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,252
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill TN 37174
autozone has lifetime guarantee on the starters, if you don't mind pulling it out to replace it get it there.. screw rebuilding it yourself..... but have them test it beforre you leave the store. it sucks putting it in and realizing the rebuilt is a pile of crap. happened to me three times in the same day!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2003 | 07:04 PM
  #16  
Wankelalltheway's Avatar
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Tn
You better get it fixed soon or you will ruin the teeth on the flywheel.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cristoDathird
Introduce yourself
28
May 30, 2019 08:47 PM
The1Sun
New Member RX-7 Technical
9
Mar 18, 2018 11:08 PM
7aull
1st Gen General Discussion
4
Aug 14, 2015 10:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:51 PM.