How does the starter work exactly?

N54Society · 04-05-2016, 07:57 PM

When the transmission was removed on my car I noticed that the gear for the starter was recessed towards the engine. Does this mean that on start up, the gear pops out and finds the grooves on the flywheel before it cranks? I hear a metal grinding noise on startup and it makes me wonder if that's what's happening. It didn't do this with my dual mass flywheel so I'm assuming it's normal for a SMFW to make the contact noise more pronounced?

Any insight would be great. Thanks

08njSTEP · 04-05-2016, 08:16 PM

The solenoid pushes the starter gear out where it engages the flywheel/flexplate. There should be a small gap between the gear teeth and flywheel teeth. Point of gear to valley of flywheel. Usually about the diameter of a paperclip.

Navy Doc · 04-05-2016, 09:13 PM

Yes the starter gear contacts the flywheel when you press on the starter button and the. Retracts when you let go. There shouldn't be any grinding metal sounds.

04-05-2016, 07:57 PM	#1
N54Society Major Private First Class 468 Rep 1,327 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: US, NA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy iTrader: (2)	How does the starter work exactly? When the transmission was removed on my car I noticed that the gear for the starter was recessed towards the engine. Does this mean that on start up, the gear pops out and finds the grooves on the flywheel before it cranks? I hear a metal grinding noise on startup and it makes me wonder if that's what's happening. It didn't do this with my dual mass flywheel so I'm assuming it's normal for a SMFW to make the contact noise more pronounced? Any insight would be great. Thanks __________________ 2008 E92 335i 6MT: FBO + MMP Silicone Inlets \| Stage 1 LPFP \| 335is clutch + MFactory SMFW \| Custom BuraQ + MHD tune \| 3.5Bar N20 sensor [SOLD] 2010 E90 335i M-Sport AT: 5" Stepped FMIC, Stage 2 LPFP - MHD V7 E60 Tune running 100% E85 - VRSF DPs
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-05-2016, 08:16 PM	#2
08njSTEP Captain 795 Rep 762 Posts Drives: '07 335i, '66 SS396 Chevelle Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Manchester, NH iTrader: (0)	The solenoid pushes the starter gear out where it engages the flywheel/flexplate. There should be a small gap between the gear teeth and flywheel teeth. Point of gear to valley of flywheel. Usually about the diameter of a paperclip.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

04-05-2016, 09:13 PM	#3
Navy Doc Private First Class 187 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 335i e93 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Temecula, CA iTrader: (0)	Yes the starter gear contacts the flywheel when you press on the starter button and the. Retracts when you let go. There shouldn't be any grinding metal sounds.
	Appreciate 0 Quote