Starter question

[Hopefiend]

I have an 04 4.6 rwd
When running it has a rattling sound that seems to come from the bottom driver side like between the engine and trans.... Or so I feel like that's where it is. I can hear it on the passenger side but it's much fainter than on driver's side...
This morning when I started it up at the store it made a not so good sound like the the solenoid may not be engaged fully. On a second attempt it started with no issue.
I'm real curious if these two issues are related.
Would a bad starter and/or solenoid cause a rattling sound when driving?
How can I check the starter/solenoid to see if that's my source of the noise without replacing it just to see?
Obviously I can take it out and look at it for visual damage and look at the teeth on the flexplate... But if I find no obvious damage the what should I look for next?

 

[wollimann]

Would a bad starter and/or solenoid cause a rattling sound when driving?

Yes i think so,
look at this thread

4.6 Rattle/knock noise near transmission at idle

My '05 4x2 4.6 makes a rattling/knock noise once it idles down and I hear it near the transmission. Torque converter bolts are not loose and transmission bolts are not loose. I've seen cracked flywheels and internally collapsed catalytic converters as the main culprits of these. Anyone else ever...

www.explorerforum.com

Hope for you that the flexplate is in good shape!

 

[Hopefiend]

Yes i think so,
look at this thread

4.6 Rattle/knock noise near transmission at idle

My '05 4x2 4.6 makes a rattling/knock noise once it idles down and I hear it near the transmission. Torque converter bolts are not loose and transmission bolts are not loose. I've seen cracked flywheels and internally collapsed catalytic converters as the main culprits of these. Anyone else ever...

www.explorerforum.com

Hope for you that the flexplate is in good shape!

I've looked at a couple things and listened and had another mechanic listen to it... The other guy said it def not a rod nor a timing chain... I never ride passenger until about 3 days ago and I could barely hear it with the window down from passenger side... Then it did that at the store and it all came together in my mind... The sound seems to be located at the starter too. Just wanted a second opinion. Thanks for the response. The thread you sent seems to be just where I'm at.

 

[Mr Mumbles]

It's time to pull the tranny and check the flex plate for cracks as that's the noise they make when they are cracked. Just beware, there are two different flex plates for the 4.6L, one for torque converters using an adapter plate and one for those that don't.

I bought a new one from Rock Auto and fought reinstalling the trannie for two days until I realised the ID was 3/8" smaller than the original. I called the manufacturer and he said they didn't make the one I needed but luckily my Ford dealer found a couple somewhere in the US. It didn't cost much more than the one from Rock but since I'm in Canada, it wasn't worth returning it and I had to eat that one. I still have the new one from Rock out in the garage. Oh yeah, the cracked one in the next photo was from a torque converter using the adapter plate and is 12 3/4" ID.

Now you know what I was doing for Christmas/Boxing Day last year!

 

[Hopefiend]

It's time to pull the tranny and check the flex plate for cracks as that's the noise they make when they are cracked. Just beware, there are two different flex plates for the 4.6L, one for torque converters using an adapter plate and one for those that don't.

I bought a new one from Rock Auto and fought reinstalling the trannie for two days until I realised the ID was 3/8" smaller than the original. I called the manufacturer and he said they didn't make the one I needed but luckily my Ford dealer found a couple somewhere in the US. It didn't cost much more than the one from Rock but since I'm in Canada, it wasn't worth returning it and I had to eat that one. I still have the new one from Rock out in the garage. Oh yeah, the cracked one in the next photo was from a torque converter using the adapter plate and is 12 3/4" ID.

Now you know what I was doing for Christmas/Boxing Day last year! View attachment 462209View attachment 462210

I bet a box of donuts that's what it is and that mine is the hard to find one !!!
Thanks for your post

 

[Hopefiend]

It's time to pull the tranny and check the flex plate for cracks as that's the noise they make when they are cracked. Just beware, there are two different flex plates for the 4.6L, one for torque converters using an adapter plate and one for those that don't.

I bought a new one from Rock Auto and fought reinstalling the trannie for two days until I realised the ID was 3/8" smaller than the original. I called the manufacturer and he said they didn't make the one I needed but luckily my Ford dealer found a couple somewhere in the US. It didn't cost much more than the one from Rock but since I'm in Canada, it wasn't worth returning it and I had to eat that one. I still have the new one from Rock out in the garage. Oh yeah, the cracked one in the next photo was from a torque converter using the adapter plate and is 12 3/4" ID.

Now you know what I was doing for Christmas/Boxing Day last year! View attachment 462209View attachment 462210

Curiously, is there a way to find out which flexplate I have without pulling tranny?

 

[410Fortune]

Can always order both and return the one you don’t need I know it sucks but it’s a time saving iption

 

[Mr Mumbles]

Curiously, is there a way to find out which flexplate I have without pulling tranny?

Yes, take the vehicles VIN to your friendly Ford dealer and they can bring it up.

 

[Hopefiend]

Yes, take the vehicles VIN to your friendly Ford dealer and they can bring it up.

Wouldn't the bigger one fit both?
Seems I saw a video bout it where a guy needed the larger one but the holes lined up it just wouldn't go all the way down on the converter... Like 3/8 too small od

 

[Mr Mumbles]

Wouldn't the bigger one fit both?

It might, if you can find one. Not sure. The smaller ID ones are what Rock Auto and others carry. The larger ID ones seem to be a bit of an oddball and not as common and that's why I had to get mine from a Ford dealer. I might still have the receipt if you need the P/N.

Here's the front of the torque converter before the adapter plate goes on. Note the eight studs for the adapter. Second photo shows the converter with the special alignment tool holding the adapter plate in place before securing it down. The four studs on the outside with the protective tubing on them are what go thru the holes in the flex plate. . Again, the VIN knows all!

 

[Hopefiend]

It might, if you can find one. Not sure. The smaller ID ones are what Rock Auto and others carry. The larger ID ones seem to be a bit of an oddball and not as common and that's why I had to get mine from a Ford dealer. I might still have the receipt if you need the P/N.

Here's the front of the torque converter before the adapter plate goes on. Note the eight studs for the adapter. Second photo shows the converter with the special alignment tool holding the adapter plate in place before securing it down. The four studs on the outside with the protective tubing on them are what go thru the holes in the flex plate. . Again, the VIN knows all!

View attachment 462289View attachment 462290

So really it's the adapter plate that causes the fitment issue? Seems like alot of extra crap to make problems... Theres 8 nuts that hold that plate to the converter and then 4 to mount it to the flexplate... That's about 8 problems too many. I wouldn't be surprised if someone bought the wrong flexplate and modified the adapter to make it work on mine and that's why it make noises... I can see that the trans has been out of it at some point. No Tell Ng if.its even the same equipment that came in the vehicle to start with...

It might, if you can find one. Not sure. The smaller ID ones are what Rock Auto and others carry. The larger ID ones seem to be a bit of an oddball and not as common and that's why I had to get mine from a Ford dealer. I might still have the receipt if you need the P/N.

Here's the front of the torque converter before the adapter plate goes on. Note the eight studs for the adapter. Second photo shows the converter with the special alignment tool holding the adapter plate in place before securing it down. The four studs on the outside with the protective tubing on them are what go thru the holes in the flex plate. . Again, the VIN knows all!

View attachment 462289View attachment 462290

Seems like alot of extra crap to wear out and make trouble. Most flexplates bolt right to the torque converter... WTH have they cobbled together? 8 nuts to hold the adapter on then 4 to marry that to the flexplate... Stupid
Thanks guys and yes if you have that pn im sure I'ma need it. It's just the type luck I have.

How would a guy go about converting to the more common set up?