1G 91 Talon issues, starter rotates, but does not engage

[jyeates182]

I've got issues with my Talon. I'm kind of in a bind and would like to get some input before I go to work on the car. What happened was I was downshifting from second to first, and the car died. This isn't an uncommon issue, as it has idle surge issues, so I engaged the clutch and tried to start it again, with the tranny in first gear. At this point, I heard the starter turn, without engaging the flywheel. I ended up just pushing my car into the parking lot and tried it a few more times, to no avail. I tried to start it a couple of more times with the same result. After a while, I got brave and pushed it across the parking lot, figuring that if it was the starter, I could push start it and get it home. Well, I put the tranny in second and popped the clutch, and all that happened was the car rolled down the street, but there was a horrible grinding noise. I'm not sure where it came from, but figuring it didn't start, I kinda thought I had seized the engine. I realize that this is not enough information to pinpoint the problem, but I'm hoping that someone can give me some insight before next week, when I can get back to my car and work on it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[3kgt2nv]

Sounds like the starter died. could be the solenoid went bad and isnt pushing the armature over to engage the flywheel or as i have had happen twice the armature rod snapped and the starter isnt turning anything but the shaft and wander in and out and the flywheel can contact it causing the grinding noise you heard. I would pull the starter first and see if autozone can test it. if they cant i would find a used one or another owner who will let you borrow a starter to test it out.

 

[jyeates182]

Hey, thanks man. I am really hoping that the starter is the problem. I guess I'll find out when I get to ripping it apart Wednesday.

 

[jyeates182]

So, I just got the starter off the car, and I'm not really sure if that's what the issue was. I'm sitting here waiting for the napa to open, so they can test it. Is there a way to tell if that armature broke by looking at, or do I have to tear the solenoid off?