2 new starters won't engage.

[Daev66]

Hi all! I've run into a problem with starters, which I understand is an issue for our cars. Here is my issue with my '95 atx - reman. starter died, got replacement with a brand new one under warranty. Turned key and starter wouldn't engage, only grind. Took off starter and got another new one from warranty, tested before I installed, to make sure drive was moving fully to the end, no problem. Installed starter, same result - starter spins, and drive seems to move out far enough to grind but does not engage (augh!!). I had car towed to mechanic who confirmed that starter will not engage.(thanks!) He also mentioned that flywheel/flexplate is "kinda beat to sh*t". Is this another case of crappy starters, as I REALLY don't want to be changing out a fly/flexplate right now. (or ever, really...) The first starter had no problem engaging before it died. Another starter has been ordered..... Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Ishodu]

The issue might be the rebuilds. For some reason ford decided to make at least 3 different stater drives and housings. If for some reason the housing didn't match the number of teeth on the drive it will not engage. I never heard an issue with remans not having the right drive for the housing but it could be a first time. Do you still have the original? You can maybe compare the number of teeth to the offset of the front of the housing. If you search I think there was a thread about it in the past with some drawings.

 

[Daev66]

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, I had to turn in the original, in order to get the replacement, not anticipating any real problems. If I read previous threads correctly, the 10 or 12 tooth drive should work? Anyway, I think I will try to find a starter other than "Wilson", as all of these, including the first one that died were this brand. Anyone have any other thoughts? Thanks for the help!

 

[Ishodu]

It wont matter what drive you have as long as the person who did the rebuild match the correct drive to correct housing.

 

[Mike Gallion]

I'm leaning towards the flywheel ring gear. If it's beat to S**T like the mechanic said, that could be the grinding you are hearing. 168k on my 95 and the teeth looked pretty beat before I turned the ring around during the 3.2 swap

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

Alot of teeth on that flywheel are most likely ground down too much so the starter can't engage. I had a similar problem on my ATX. I pulled the transmission and replaced it. That's your only option.
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[itwonder]

You may have a problem with the wiring that is introducing resistance in the circuit and thereby supplying inadequate current to the starter. Look for problems in the fat wire or connections from battery to the starter. Also check the ground wire.

 

[Daev66]

Thanks for the advice, guys! There was an issue with wiring, which was resloved, but unfortunately, the problem persists. We're trying one more starter tomorrow(Tues), then digging further from there. Fingers are crossed........

 

[projectSHO89]

Test the new starter at the parts store before taking it home.

I learned a long time ago to do this with starters and alternators..

 

[Daev66]

Sooo, I got my car back yesterday.(finally! NOBODY in my city stocks anything for SHOs) The reman. starter was installed by my mechanic, and it worked! Why did this work? That is still a bit of a mystery. The two starters I installed myself were BRAND NEW, not re-builds, and I even pre-tested the second one before installing. Since I didn't get a look at the latest reman. before it was installed, I couldn't check for any visible differences. I guess if I'd tried a different brand, or reman versus new, I may have solved this problem myself. At least I know that there is a flywheel/flexplate replacement in my future..... Now, on to those rod bearings........!

 

[Ishodu]

Good to hear!