New starter makes "thunk" sound. Ideas?

[gwilson09]

My starter was beginning to occasionally make a "thunk" sound when trying to start the truck. This required me to try and start it 3, 4, 5 times. I installed a new starter and am still getting the occasional "thunk" when attempting to start the truck. It doesn't happen all the time, or even a lot. Most of the time the truck starts right up. Any ideas?

[Cageman]

is it an older direct drive starter? it is basically the solenoid that is thunking, the contacts are dirty that activate the starter, the solenoid simply kicks the drive out to the flywheel, and it allows the current to flow through to make the starter spin, by pushing a contact washer onto the battery terminals, after repetated starts, it gets a buildup of crap on it and it doesnt work, the washer spins some and that is why the engine will turn over after a few tries. If you know anything about starter repair, a little sandpaper will clean it right up.

[gwilson09]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Not sure if it's direct drive as I don't know exactly what that means. I guess I'm not understanding how a new starter has the same issue as the one it replaced. Are these contacts in the body of the starter or the starter relay?

[Hewy]

My starter was beginning to occasionally make a "thunk" sound when trying to start the truck. This required me to try and start it 3, 4, 5 times. I installed a new starter and am still getting the occasional "thunk" when attempting to start the truck. It doesn't happen all the time, or even a lot. Most of the time the truck starts right up. Any ideas?

The 3 to 5 times you try, does the starter just stop and you key it off and on again ? or continues to run with the sound ?
Same with a new starter ?
Possibly not the starter at all, but missing or badly worn flywheel teeth .
Worth taking a look. Pull the starter off and turn the engine over.

[gwilson09]

The 3 to 5 times you try, does the starter just stop and you key it off and on again ? or continues to run with the sound ?
Same with a new starter ?
Possibly not the starter at all, but missing or badly worn flywheel teeth .

It usually just stops, but will occasionally continue to run. Same with new starter as with old starter. Since this is an automatic, would the ring gear possibly be suspect? I know only a little about the transmission and how it interacts with the rest of the engine, but I am learning.

[Hewy]

The 3 to 5 times you try, does the starter just stop and you key it off and on again ? or continues to run with the sound ?
Same with a new starter ?
Possibly not the starter at all, but missing or badly worn flywheel teeth .

It usually just stops, but will occasionally continue to run. Same with new starter as with old starter. Since this is an automatic, would the ring gear possibly be suspect? I know only a little about the transmission and how it interacts with the rest of the engine, but I am learning.

Could be, but go the simple route first.
Check all grounds for clean connections, this is easiest and a possible source of intermittent
electrical failures.

[gwilson09]

I will check the grounds/connections. Also am having the transmission serviced soon and will have them inspect the flywheel/ring gear. Thanks for your input, Hewy.