Starter Relay Buzzing

[TimboSHO]

I changed my starter relay today because it has been giving me trouble lately. After i changed it, all i get is a buzzing noise, and the rpms go up to about 1000rpm. Could this be a wiring issue? The relay seems to be doing what it's supposed to, but the flywheel doesn't turn at all. I got the relay at AutoZone. I can pop the clutch to get it going, but i'd rather not..... Thanks for the help!

 

[autobahnsho]

Does it sound like metal on metal grinding, or like the starter is just spinning really fast?

The starter is just an electric motor. The relay gives power to it, the solenoid should push the starter gear into position so it is touching the flywheel gearing. Then the starter turns, which makes the flywheel turn.

Possibilities are the solenoid isn't working, or the solenoid IS working but the gearing on the flywheel or starter can sometimes get stripped, meaning they rub each other but don't turn right.

At least that's my amateur understanding. Sorry.

 

[TimboSHO]

It's definately just the little electric motor of the relay spinning. It must be contacting the flywheel, because isn't that where the RPMs are taken that the tach displays? Please! I need some help! Popping the clutch isn't very good for my car, and i'd rather not keep doing it!

 

[rangerj]

Are we talking about the starter relay on the left inner fender well? It will click or "buzz" when the relay will not stay engaged, ie the relay is bad, or not wired correctly.

There is another solenoid on the starter that engages the "Bendix" , a gear that engages the flywheel and the starter motor so that the starter turns the engine over. This solenoid will also "buzz" when it will not remain engaged, but it usually just fails to engage so that the starter motor spins freely without turning over the engine.

So, is your problem at the sidewall, or at the starter itself? rangerj

 

[TimboSHO]

This is the solenoid in the left fender well.

The car started up the next day, but then the day after that it 'buzzed' again (different buzz this time.... tach didn't move). After it buzzed i heard a click(almost like a clunk) and then i started it right up again and haven't had a problem since. Weird....

 

[SHOZ123]

That clunk was your Bendix drive unsticking and allowing the starter gear to engage the flywheel. Easy to fix. Take the starter out and take the cone shaped end off. Clean with WD 40 the Bendix drive and the yoke that the solenoid uses to engage it. The relay is on the fender wall.