Hey guys, I'm new to the forum but i've searched and read up and some of you guys seem very knowledgable so I present you with my question lol

Everything was fine and I went for lunch one day, came out and the car half cranked and then the starter began making a grinding noise (and the car didnt start). Tried it again and still just the griding. Basically it sounds like when you try to start a car with it already running (for lack of a better example) Now the only thing I can assume is that its the starter solenoid and my starter needs to be replaced but I was just wondering if anyone has had this problem and fixed it short of pulling the intake to get to the burried starter lol I'm not at all familiar with these northstar engines as I'm more of an old hot rod guy I've heard varying experiences when it comes to changine this starter but all in all I've heard its not pleasant so if anyone could help me along or better yet if its something dumb I can fix easily let me know.

Thanks alot guys I look forward to your responses

 

Sounds like a broken starter. It is really not that bad I found this site and it helped a great deal in changing mine in my 97 Deville. It is a piece of cake if you follow these instructions.
http://www.freeengineinfo.com/cadill...eplacement.htm

 

There is a mechanic here in my neigbourhood, Central Toronto, that has this down to a 1.5 hours job. He's honest so that's what he charges folks, not some 4 or 5 hr. flate rate figure. The advantages of putting the starter in the valley are numerous, they last longer because they are not exposed to the sleet and salt and snow and rain and yours has lasted 13 years and they are quieter inside the engine, plus the compactness needed to squeeze that 300 HP power plant sideways in your car.

 

....
probably a good time to clean out the ducts ...
but .. make darn sure you dont drop anything solid down there.




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