Still having starting issues...

[aaronsbiza]

95 ATX 100K,

My starter went out a few weeks ago so I bought a replacement at NAPA. That replacement spun but did not engage the flywheel so I figured it was bad. I took that starter back and replaced it with a new one. I installed the new starter and again it would spin but not engage the flywheel. I brought the starter into NAPA. They ran it in their tester and it worked perfectly.
They looked up the part number and confirmed they gave me the correct starter.

What could cause the starter to spin but not engage?

My battery is fine, the cables from the battery to the starter are fine. The only line I haven't tested is that small black wire to the the solenoid.

Can anyone help me out, I really need to get this puppy running again.

Thanks

 

[SHOtimer]

Get a starter from another store. Perhaps, autozone, or Kragen..... Motorcraft has the most reliable rebuilds when it comes to starters and alternators IMHO. But, it sounds like the problem is not your car, but their starters..

Doug

 

[aaronsbiza]

The clerk tested the starter right in front of me, I saw the bendix extend and I saw the starter spin, so its not the starter.

 

[SHOtimer]

I'm not saying that the starter isn't functioning, or the Bendix isn't working. However, if they have an improper starter listed or are giving you a starter with an improper gear ratio or the Bendix isn't moving far enough. The only thing that would make it your car's fault is if your flex plate was all chewed up. And I highly doubt that that is the case...


Doug

 

[TYSHO]

The clerk tested the starter right in front of me, I saw the bendix extend and I saw the starter spin, so its not the starter.

I've had them test starters and come out good, but they were not. The test they give does NOT crank an engine, so there's no load being applied. You can keep testing and think your starter is fine, according to what the parts guy says, but the only thing to cause your problem is the starter or ate up flywheel teeth.

 

[Redskull]

i remember somebody said something at sometime about having a siezed-up A/C compressor that could keep the engine from turning....something to think about

alan

 

[aaronsbiza]

When the starter is installed in the car you do not hear the bendix extend nor the teeth hitting the flywheel at all. I insoected the flywheel and all the teeth are fine.

I am going to install the starter in the car but not bolt it down. I will start the car and see if the bendix is extending.

If the small black lead to the starter was corroded, would this cause the starter to spin but not engage the bendix.

I know you think its a bad starter, but like I said it was tested right in front of me, and this is the second one I have gotten from them that tests fine.

As far as being the wrong starter, I would think even if it was, it would still hit the teeth against the flywheel.

 

[TYSHO]

i remember somebody said something at sometime about having a siezed-up A/C compressor that could keep the engine from turning....something to think about

alan

I remember that, too, but that was a case where the starter would not turn over at all, as this one does. Good info anyhow!