Replaced starter but still problems???

[bbri4570]

My starter went out with 225K, (imagine the nerve) would only spin but not engage, so I ordered a replacement, and pulled the original. The starter was definately dead, as I could wiggle the (for lack of a technical term) starter gear back and forth with no effort, definately broke.

I installed the new starter, and when I tried to start it, I can hear the starter spin - but still not engaging the flywheel to turn the engine over - what did I do wrong?

[Jayare]

I would say your starter motor never was bad if you are hearing it "spin". The culprit is most likely the solenoid. This is a basic electro magnet that pulls the bendix drive into engagement with the ring gear on the flywheel to turn the motor over.

Good Luck

Jayare

[bbri4570]

Originally Posted by Jayare

I would say your starter motor never was bad if you are hearing it "spin". The culprit is most likely the solenoid. This is a basic electro magnet that pulls the bendix drive into engagement with the ring gear on the flywheel to turn the motor over.

Good Luck

Jayare

Sorry for the lack of detail, was a little sleepy when I posted last night.......the starter I removed had a broken bendix drive gear, it would "spin" but make god awful metal banging noises.....so out it came...broken gear.

But I am stumped with the new one I put in, pretty straight forward install but still when I turn the key, I am only getting a spinning whirring noise - solenoid not kicking the starter gear into the flywheel?

Anyway to check for bad solenoid on my new starter?

Any ideas?

[augapfel]

Hope and pray that your old starter (with its failing bendix) did not shear teeth of the flywheel. Because if it did you will be pulling the engine to replace the flywheel. Grab some engine pulleys and try to rotate the crankshaft a little bit. If the engine now cranks the flywheel is damage.

[bbri4570]

I double checked the flywheel - no damage there. I beginning to think i have a another bad starter (it was reman - I had this prob on an old Ford truck).

So I am thinking I should go get another starter and try again.

Any other issues that could cause this symptom?

Starter spins but does not engage the flywheel. Isn't the solenoid part of the starter assembly - just behind the bendix gear?

Thanks for any advice!

Frustrated in the Foothills!!!!!!

[Sergio]

Was the solenoid replaced with the starter also? (do you have a new solenoid?) If so, you can always try putting the original solenoid back in...