Loose starter, tranny shop's fault?

[SHO>*]

I just went out to start my car and it made the worst sound I've ever heard it make, and I've heard it make quite a few. It was grinding and clanking and it did not sound pretty. Naturally I let off the key about as soon as I turned it but when I did, the engine had somehow allready started and was purring away as if nothing was wrong. I shut her off and crawled underneath to look at the starter. First thing I noticed was that the ground wire attached to it is extremely loose, like swat-it-with-your-finger-and-watch-it-swing loose. Next thing I noticed is that the pin/bolt location straight down from the ground wire look misaligned. The two housings are off-kilter and there looks like a washer or alignment pin or something coming out from between them.

The starter is less than a year old and has never given me any troubles since I got it. I just had my transmission rebuilt a few weeks ago at kennedy transmission off of university and osbourne in fridley, mn. During the process of removal and reinstallation, would they have needed to mess with the starter at all? Should I take it to them tomorrow and make them fix it or is this something they could deny having caused?

 

[38SHO]

being someone who works in a tranny shop, take it back and make them tighten it

yes you do remove the starter to take out the transmission.

 

[projectSHO89]

The starter had to be removed to pull the tranny.

Most likely, they didn't get it tight.

Surprised it even cranked with a loose ground.

I'd call them and tell them what's going on. I'd also insist that they either send a tow truck at their expense or send someone out to fix it.

Steve

 

[Paul]

You have to ask your self-what else they did'nt get right?