Thread: Strange car problem, but not as bad as I initially thought

While driving home from work today, I heard a loud metallic scraping sound as I accelerated to pass another car. My first thought was, "Oh s***!" The sound disappeared as soon as I let off the accelerator, so I very gently drove my car to the shop.

They tested it. The sound would show up at around 3500 RPM when driving, but wouldn't show up when revving the engine in park or drive with the car stopped. I was prepared for the worst, expecting either bearing or flexplate damage.

After listening, though, they're 99% certain it's the starter. They think that when the engine rocks back on acceleration it's pinching a wiring harness, causing the starter to engage. They'll try to find the bad harness tomorrow, and replace it (and probably the motor mounts if they're bad). I hope it really is that simple (and inexpensive).

Actually, it's a lot worse.

The first shop I took it to thought it was the starter engaging. Since they don't do electrical work, they sent it to another shop.

I got a call this morning that it's not the starter, it's the flywheel. I had my rear knock sensor replaced a while ago. Apparently, the old knock sensor fell into the housing and eventually tore up the flywheel.

I called the shop that replaced the knock sensor, but the manager isn't there today. I'll talk to him tomorrow, and if I don't like the answer they give me I'll probably seek legal advice.

How in the heck can a knock sensor fall into the flywheel housing? I don't even see how that's possible.