QuestionI took my 1997 Chevrolt Cavalier automobile in the shop last winter and was told that a couple of teeth on my starter wheel were missing. The mechanic said that I might be able to limp through until I decided to sell the car without the pricy cost of replacing the entire thing and sent me on my way, telling me I might have to manually turn them every so often, but not to worry.
Last night was the first time the Cavalier would not turn over - at all. No click, click, click of a dead battery, just nothing, leading me to believe that the series of broken starter wheel teeth had finally alined, and now I need to find where the starter wheel teeth are located so I might be able to manually re-adjust them myself to get the car to start. It is parked on an icy parking lot, waiting for me to figure this out.
So my question, where is the starter wheel located on a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, and how do I manually rotate the teeth? Can I do it from above peering down into the engine, or is it better to approach from the ground upward.
AnswerHi Jeff, If the flywheel teeth were broken and the starter gear aligned to this spot, you would hear the starter motor making noise as it would hit the open spot. If you don't hear any noise then the starter is the most likely problem here. Do this, hit the starter with a hammer while someone is holding the key in the crank position. The starter is in the front of the engine. If this gets it running replace the starter.
To move the open spot on the flywheel you just need to turn the drive belt with the alternator pulley bolt. I don't think this is you problem.
Hope this helps
Have a Great Holiday
Mark
