85 Honda Accord LX - starter & flywheel issues

We've got a 1985 Honda Accord LX (automatic) and up until Friday night,
it started first time, every time. We stopped to grab some groceries,
came out of the store about 20 mins later, and when we tried to start
the car got a loud, grinding noise. After tried unsuccessfully to start
the car, we got it towed home.

Spend Saturday putting in a new starter, as we were told that was the
problem. Car started okay, ever 4 out of 5 times. But by Sunday evening,
the car wouldn't start at all and now there is a high-pitched ringing
noise when you rock the car side to side. We were told that the noise is
likely from a shattered flywheel.

After calling around to a number of wreckers and mechanics, we have been
told two different things: (1) we can replace just the flywheel; (2) we
need to replace the entire transmission. So, has anyone out there had a
similar issue? Is it just the starter, or is it the flywheel, or could
it be something else? We really want to get our car back on the road for
Christmas and could use some helpful advice. Thanks in advance.


Email cnikkel <at> telus <dot> net


P.S. If you know any good parts places in Vancouver, BC or surrounding
area, that would be great to know as well. Thanks.

 

I haven't worked on an automatic, but with the manual,
you have to drop the trannie out, then you have access to
the flywheel. I don't see why you couldn't just replace
it.

t

 

There is not flywheel on the honda automatics. There is a flex plate (or
drive plate) that bolts the the crankshaft, and then the torque converter
bolts to that. The ring gear is on the torque converter. It doesn't look
like you can get the ring gear from honda without the converter.

 

sounds like a drive ring. it's attached to the torque converter of the
automatic & unfortunately, it doesn't look like you can get a new drive
ring on its own. at a minimum, that'll mean replacing the torque
converter. replacing the whole transmission is unnecessary.

 

Emergency work-around... carry a socket and handle that fits the crank bolt
(19 mm?). If the starter doesn't engage, turn the ignition off and use the
socket to pull the crank through *CCW* an o'clock or two. Inconvenient to be
sure, but it will get you from point A to point B until you can replace the
torque converter (from a wrecking yard, I expect.)

Mike