Starter - Grinding Noise/No Start

91buick02

Bulletin: 91-6D-4

Date: Mar. '91

Ref. No.: 91-114-6D

Corp. Ref. No.: 036404R


SUBJECT: GRINDING NOISE, NO START, STARTER FAILS TO ENGAGE (NEW DRIVE ASSEMBLY)

MODELS AFFECTED: 1990-91 REGAL WITH 3.1L V6 ENGINE (VIN CODE T) 1991 ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON


CONDITION:

Some owners of the above vehicles may comment of hard start, grind or clash noise during an attempted start. The starter may not properly engage the ring gear. A loud grinding noise occurs and the engine does not crank. The engine may crank normally on repeated attempts to start.

CAUSE:

The spring in early design starter drives may compress too easily. This may keep the drive pinion gear from snapping into mesh with the ring gear as the starter motor starts to turn.

CORRECTION:

Follow the respective service manual (Section 6D2) and replace the starter motor drive assembly with part number 10473700. Inspect the flywheel for signs of milling or material loss at the engagement points. Repair as required.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

WARRANTY INFORMATION:

Labor Operation No.: J4600
Labor Time: 1.0 hr. (Roadmaster)
1.0 hr. (Regal)