Honda Car Forum

We've got a 1985 Honda Accord LX (automatic) and up until Friday night,
it started first time, every time. We stopped to grab some groceries,
came out of the store about 20 mins later, and when we tried to start
the car got a loud, grinding noise. After tried unsuccessfully to start
the car, we got it towed home.

Spend Saturday putting in a new starter, as we were told that was the
problem. Car started okay, ever 4 out of 5 times. But by Sunday evening,
the car wouldn't start at all and now there is a high-pitched ringing
noise when you rock the car side to side. We were told that the noise is
likely from a shattered flywheel.

After calling around to a number of wreckers and mechanics, we have been
told two different things: (1) we can replace just the flywheel; (2) we
need to replace the entire transmission. So, has anyone out there had a
similar issue? Is it just the starter, or is it the flywheel, or could
it be something else? We really want to get our car back on the road for
Christmas and could use some helpful advice. Thanks in advance.


Email cnikkel <at> telus <dot> net


P.S. If you know any good parts places in Vancouver, BC or surrounding
area, that would be great to know as well. Thanks.

Grand Toy Wizard <nospam@for.me> floridly penned in
news:Xns95C66F766FF6Enospamforme@198.80.55.250:

> We've got a 1985 Honda Accord LX (automatic) and up until Friday night,
> it started first time, every time. We stopped to grab some groceries,
> came out of the store about 20 mins later, and when we tried to start
> the car got a loud, grinding noise. After tried unsuccessfully to start
> the car, we got it towed home.
>
> Spend Saturday putting in a new starter, as we were told that was the
> problem. Car started okay, ever 4 out of 5 times. But by Sunday evening,
> the car wouldn't start at all and now there is a high-pitched ringing
> noise when you rock the car side to side.



When you "rock the car side to side"? You mean actually pushing on the car
by hand so it rocks on its suspension? And this makes a ringing noise even
when you're not operating the starter? Hmmm... I think you've mis-stated
yourself.



> We were told that the noise is
> likely from a shattered flywheel.



Maybe a stripped ring gear. Flywheels don't "shatter".

You can remove the ring gear from the flywheel and install a new one.



>
> After calling around to a number of wreckers and mechanics, we have been
> told two different things: (1) we can replace just the flywheel; (2) we
> need to replace the entire transmission. So, has anyone out there had a
> similar issue? Is it just the starter, or is it the flywheel, or could
> it be something else?


It's *possible* that
1) The ring gear is damaged, or
2) The new starter is improperly aligned with the ring gear, and not
engaging fully.

Either way, it's a bit involved. For the ring gear, the tranny has to come
off. For the starter, the clearance needs to be adjusted, or the starter
replaced.


--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/