Ok, the past couple days I've noticed that when I try to start my truck, I hear the starter kick out, but that's it. It does it when I leave for work in the morning and when I leave work at night. Basically whenever it's been sitting for a while. I hear the starter kick out and whine, but the truck doesn't start.

I suppose it could be the starter, but I'm wondering if it could also be a flywheel problem. Never ran into this before. Usually the starter either kicks out or it doesn't. I've never had it kick out but not engage the flywheel.

 

How have you determined that it has kicked out the bendix? If you hear it whirl (spin), without engaging the flywheel, then it's probably the solenoid on the starter that kicks out the bendix. I know that on earlier GM starters, you could pull the solenoid off and clean it, but now-a-days you could probably just replace it for little $$$.

You must be able to get it started if you are getting to work. I'd bet it is a weak or sticky solenoid.

 

Yeah it starts on the 2nd or 3rd try with no problem.

One of the mechanics at the AutoZone where I used to work says that older Chevys are known to do this. He's got a '95 Camaro and he said his does the same thing.

*Shrug* I'll check the solenoid out

 

A lot of times when a GM solenoid goes bad, it starts to push the bendix out and then slams it back in, giving the sound that it kicked it out. Then it's just spinning, not engaging the flywheel/pressure plate ring gear.

 

Time for a lifetime starter replacement.

 

Beware of store brand lifetime warranty starters! I spent 2 hours and 3 trips to the store to put a starter in my neighbors firebird. The 2 extra trips to the store were to get extra shim packs. Over an 1/8th of an inch in shims to get the check block in!!! Yikes. The rebuilt starters often do not maintain the same alignment or even close.

 

I agree, don't skimp on a starter. I try to go AC Delco on remplacement parts like starters, alternators, etc., unless I know the rebuild brand to be a good quality one.