No start, loud grinding noise, belts turning...

[SeiGGy]

Driving down the road today, and the Relay module ontop of the radiator acted up (as usual) and cut off the fuel pump...I coast into the gas station, and pop the hood, smack the little black box (I've had this issue for a little while) and go to start it back up...and instead of the normal start and take off... I get a horrible loud grinding noise...

So I get someone out there to help me, and the belts turn, so the crankshaft is moving, and the starter is working. I just replaced the fuel pump, CPS, Crank Pulley, Crank Gear, Crank Woodruff Key, Belts, Timing Belt, and just about everything else for the front 60K about two months ago (maybe 10,000 miles max)...The car has ridden great for the past two months, and I haven't had any issues outside the stupid Module that sits on the Radiator...

I hope that the motor isn't dead...there's no liquid puddle under it, and I don't know what else to do! HELP ME PLEASE!!!

 

[Storm-Chaser]

Start off by replacing the CCRM - that little black box you've been beating-on. It has a number of internal relays and one has either failed from the repeated beatings, or fused where it is continuously power something that should only be momentarily or periodically be engaged.

Check to see if the starter bendix (starter drive) is failing to disengage. You can take the starter off and Advance, AutoZone, or one of the other local parts stores can test it.

 

[Bizzy]

I get a horrible loud grinding noise...

From where?

Did you change the rod bearings while you were doing the 60k stuff? If the grinding sounds like it's coming from the motor, I'd drain a little oil from the oil pan and check it for metal particles.

 

[ohfosho]

iwas gonna say... you mention replacing the woodruff key? but how was the keyway?

possible the key made its way out... that is the grinding noise? timing off, so engine wont actually start?

 

[SeiGGy]

Keyway is a possiblity, it was slightly damaged, but when I replaced all that stuff I checked to see if I thought that the key would slip out, and it seemed like it would be ok...

as far as the starter goes, I don't think its the starter...the grinding sound seems to be coming from the front of the motor...I'm starting to wonder if my CPS has somehow fallen out, and if its grinding around in there...

I'm gonna have the car towed, and I guess I'm gonna have to tear down the front end again...*sigh*...I had hoped that the car would last me another 6 months so I could replace it and make it a project car...I'm not sure thats going to happen....lol

Oh, and for the CCRM, I know its on its last legs, but the worst problem I've ever had from it before, was it permanantly engaging the starter until I disconnected the battery...now that was a hilarious sight...key out of the engine, and the starter was still trying to turn the motor over! But after I disconnected/reconnected the battery, that hasn't happened again...

And I didn't change the bearing when I did the front 60k, which they probably could do to be changed, but I JUST changed the oil about a week ago, and the oil came out clean (well black, but no metal shavings to anything...). That will probably be the first thing I do though, since another 5 qts of oil is cheaper/faster than anything else!

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll probably have an update (and more questions) this weekend, when I have time to tear it down!

 

[SolidState]

I don't think that the CCRM (or ICRM in later cars) controls the starter. If the starter sticks on, it is either the solenoid or bendix.

Funny sidenote...my solenoid was failing, and the starter bendix stuck on. I forgot to put the car in neutral when I got out and popped the hood. At that precise moment, the armature kicked on, and the car tried to run me over. Felt like a dummy...

 

[ohfosho]

lol to above! yeah that would be interesting.

on topic: could very well be the CPS wasnt gapped properly! it has tight clearance and i have heard that some have had it destroyed.

 

[SeiGGy]

well I'm back with news as to what the problem was...the Timing Belt Tensioner pulley sheered the bolt off into the block...the aweful grinding noise was the tensioner bouncing around on the timing gear and the belt eating through all three timing covers...what a f'n mess this is...

Thanks to Ace, I've gotten all the parts I need except the middle timing cover...

 

[93rev2sev]

Yikes!

Bolt for the timing tensioner too tight? Belt too tight?

In the interest of avoiding this in the future, have you any ideas why it sheered the bolt off?

 

[SeiGGy]

not a clue...I tightened the bolt w/ a torq wrench to the spec, and same with the belt...I think it was just a weak bolt...

the bad thing is, the bolt extractor has also now broken off inside the bolt inside the block...now I haven't a clue how to get the damned thing out because even the cobolt blue steel drill bits can't even dent the extractor....