Ever since I got to car back from GM, it makes this loud snapping noise when it's starting up. It stops immediately after it's started, but when it's actually starting it does it. GM replaced the belt and the Optispark, and just before that I changed the starter.

When you turn the key, the starter turns the motor over one time, rarely two, then right as the engine starts to fire it makes the noise until it's at idle speed. It's very brief. It doesn't make the noise when the starter turns right as you turn the key.

The noise is not always consistent - most of the time it's loud, sometimes it's quiet. I don't really remember a time that I didn't notice it though.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

Is it possible the gear in the starter is not retracting from the flywheel ring gear immediately as you release the key from the "start" position? Did you set the clearance between the starter gear and the ring gear correctly?

 

check your plug wires for arcing

 

It's possible, but it didn't do it before I took it into GM.

I think it's too loud to be arcing wires but I'm going to check them tomorrow.

Thanks for the help so far guys . Anyone else, or more ideas from you two?

 

My starter only worked a 1/2 dozen times when i had the noise your describing. I took the starter off and the part that comes out to connect to the fly wheel was free flooping and it could be shook and come out and in. I would be careful not to go to far from home until you solve this.