Hi everyone, today would have been just as any other day running my Camino but something really freaked out occurred. As I began to start the car as normal, I sometimes have to rev on the gas a bit to get that cold startup going with a bit of high rev'ing. Well for some reason the Camino made a funny accelerating type noise that was not engine related, I believe. In shock, I quickly removed the key from the ingnition but the noise still continued. It almost sounded like a small electrical motor in overdrive. Could this be a sign that my starter is beginning to give out?!?! I even looked under the hood while the key was still engaged and noticed the fan belt area moving but at a very slow speed, also the positive battery terminal was under some stress as I noticed a small hint of smoke near the post. I had no idea how to stop the crazy drill sound it was making.
Soon, I turned the key again and gave it some footpedal gas and as soon as the Camino warmed up the sound faded and the idle went down to it's normal warm condition. I thought my car was possesed. :(

Please help me troubleshoot. Thanks, juno. :-([B]

I have a new battery, and a new carb in the Camino.

Starter or Alternator perhaps? Thanks again.

Could be a bad ignition switch. Switch is spring loaded and cuts power to the starter when you release it. Bad switch keeps power to the starter (and it stays engaged) after the engine is running.

Is this part hard to replace? Thanks again Jerry, juno. :cool:

Nope, it is posessed, Take it to a good priest and exorcise the Devil out of it.

"High pitch grinding sound is heard when trying to start the engine:
When you try to start the engine, you hear a very loud grinding sound. You don't know what it is, but it doesn't sound good. And it isn't. You keep trying and then the engine turns and starts. It may not happen all the time, but when it does you start sweating.

Possible causes:

Ring gear on the on the flywheel is damaged or broken: Replace ring gear, and/or replace starter motor.

Starter drive gear is damaged or broken: Replace starter motor.

The starter bolts are missing or loose: Tighten starter bolts. Replace missing bolts."

The above clip was found at:
Troubleshooting A No-Start Problem (http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troubleshooting/a/bl304a_2.htm)

Please help with any ideas/suggestions/advice/knowledge...thanks juno. :?

When the starter solenoid approaches the end of its life, it gets marginally weak. At times (not all the time) the starter gear will not engage the ring gear and will make a shrill noise. However, it always stops when the starter key is released. If it continues, try returning the key to the "ON" position manually. If that solves the problem, you have a bad starter switch as posted earlier (it is sticking in the "start" position). Also, you have a starter solenoid that is at the end of its life. You'll have to replace both. I recommend replacing the entire starter instead of just the solenoid.

I opted for the complete starter replacement today. I purchased the item and replaced it myself. I found it helpful to label the wires with a small sketch as to not connect the new starter incorrectly. Wow what a heavy part, not to mention the two bolts that mount it under the car. It was a tedious and gritty task but now the Elky runs like a top. No strange drill noises at startup.

When I removed the starter I found out a few things I would have otherwise not known. I knew that the starter kicked the car into action on ignition but that was the extent of it. I now know that when the starter is in the off position the gear that makes contact with the flywheel is retracted. So that if the car is cranked and operating the gear inside the starter moves back, or retracts to clear away from the flywheel when the car is on. I'm almost certain, now, that perhaps the gear was failing to retract as it normally should thereby keeping the starter engaged longer that it should. This would explain the small motor sound that continued for some time after the car was on. I also found out that a starter on for more than 15 seconds can cause damage to the part.

My only main concern when reconnecting the battery and starting the new starter part was if the flywheel and new starter gear would match up automatically. Well they did, lucky for me, I guess and the guesswork was over. From this point, with the exception of an engine overhaul, transmission work, or fuel lines, I will continue to keep an open ear for unusual sounds and an oil rag nearby for those down and dirty bonding moments with my Elky.

Thanks again guys, and I hope these posts serve anyone well with the problem I had to troubleshoot.

Peace, juno. 8)