Chrysler Repair: 1988 Plymouth Sundance Starter, plymouth sundance, starter motor

Question
Hi... Put a brand new starter in the car... It turns on but grinds quite a bit and the key will turn off in park however the starter does not disengage. If the car is turned on and put in gear the grinding stops and then you can put it in park and turn it off and then it stops... What is making the grinding noise and why will it not stop when only idles???

Answer
Hi Nicole,
The sound you are hearing is the moveable in/out 'bendix gear' on the starter motor. It is spun out of the motor so as to engage the flywheel and when the engine starts it is supposed to be spun out of the flywheel and back into the starter to its disconnected position. I would think it could be a defective bendix gear, or possibly if the starter is not squarely mounted on its flange it could be 'off-axis' which will cause the same sort of bind up. So recheck the motor: loosen the mounting bolts and rock it slightly back and forth to make sure it is fully seated, then tighten the bolts again and see it that solves it. If not, then take the motor back and exchange it. If you write me back tell me which engine you have.
Roland
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