When I try to start my car, the tach will barely move, sometimes not at all. The car won't start. when it did start, it would make a grinding sound as it found the idle speed. I thought it had something to do with the trailing coil because of the tach, but the grinding makes me think it's the starter. My question is... could it be either, both, or something else? If it's the starter, do you think my flywheel is damaged? Thanks for the help

 

ok, normally after the car sits and thinks about what it's done wrong, it'll start, but this morning it still didn't want to turn over. Once again, anyone have any info for me?

 

Sounds a lot like a bum starter not kicking out after the car starts. Stays engaged with the engine turning and makes a sorta grinding noise. Yep. Bum starter. If you want to examine the flywheel teeth there is a small cover plate made out of maybe .030 material that is right in front of the clutch slave cylinder. One 12mm bolt I believe. Remove oil filter for easy access. Its the starter though. Might as well remove it and look at the flywheel teeth there. OR it could be something totally different.

 

Thanks for actually posting advice. I love how I can have 30-something views and only one person replying to help. I was wondering what that cover-like piece of metal was, but the way you're describing checking the flywheel, it must be the piece that you were talking about. I am, however taking summer classes and working full time, so I'm having the car towed for someone else to do all of this for me. I'm getting tired of working on a car that only runs a few days a week. almost ready to sell my 7 and buy a nissan. Thanks again for the help though

 

The Nissan might be a good idea in your situation. My personal predjudice is that these are getting to be old cars and it takes both time and money to keep them running. Later when you have a little more time and dough get another one. Now that I said that , the wifes car which I rebuilt runs like a train and I never mess with it except to fix the fuel gauge which keeps going down toward the E mark twice a week(slight humor).