AMC 304 starter

[bacardilmn84]

My name's Ryan, i'm new to this site but I need your all's help. I went to start my 1974 CJ5 in the cold and the starter spun like it wasn't even turning the motor. So I opened the hood to see if the fan was turning while I was cranking it and it was, all of a sudden it fired. Now when I try starting it, something is making an AWFUL "grinding" sound, but after a couple times of turning over it fires up. Im no mechanic by any means so I do not know if its the starter or something else. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

How old is your battery?
Sounds like a weak battery IMO.
LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

I would venture three possibilities, Battery, Relay. Starter. Battery and starter can be checked by most any auto parts place.

 

[Hedgehog]

I bet there's ice in the starter gear preventing it from properly engaging the ring gear. Or the gear is simply broken. I once drove through spring lake flood water and the next day the starter wouldn't work. When it was pulled the starter gear casting was cracked .... ice.

 

[hdgapeach]

Bad loose starter bolts can cause those symptoms.

Another symptom is the starter bendix going out. That is, if the battery is in good shape. I've had that happen many times. Get that "whirrrrrrrr" sound with no engagement. Keep bumping it and eventually it'll throw the gear out far enough to engage the flywheel / flex plate. The grinding may be the bendix not throwing the gear fully out, just enough to engage some and turn the engine.

 

[caveman]

My vote is also for the bendix. It sounds like it's not kicking in. Had it happen to me too.
A bendix is one of those things that usually don't go all at once. and works once in a while until it goes completely.

 

[Torxhead]

That grinding noise you mention does not sound good, I would suggest removing the starter to inspect the gears and go from there.