QuestionTwo times in recent months my 2005 CTS would not start. It makes a noice that makes me think the starter is hung up in a certain mode. It is a screeching sound and I have to turn switch to off to stop it. Had it towed to Dealer and they could not find anything wrong because it started up for them everytime they tried. Don't have a clue when it will happen again or how to know what it is.
AnswerHi,
Intermittent problems are the worst to find. When you had that sound and you shut the ignition off, did the engine start right up again?
When in the start position, a solenoid pushes the gear forward so the teeth on the gear turn the teeth on the flywheel to start the engine. Then the solenoid releases and the gear goes back inward. It could be the solenoid is hanging up and not getting the starter gear to go back in the starter.
My boat just had tat problem twice in the last couple months where the gear is running with the flywheel. There is nothing I can do about it until it gets more frequent other than change the starter with solenoid which is $500. I don't want to change a part if this is just happening at times. I just do like you and shut the engine off and restart. Eventually it may need a starter because that is the only thing that can be damaged, but I am going to keep this thing going as long as I can.
You could have a problem with the electrical ignition switch as well, so you might as well wait until you do have a problem. You sure as heck don't want to change a perfectly good starter, only to find that was not the problem. I would tell you to keep doing what you do until it fails where the problem can be properly diagnosed. You may get 5 years out of your starter. Who knows?
That is my best advice on a problem that can not be replicated.
Good luck!
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