help with starter issue?

[crfridah]

okay my starter sometimes works but most of the time when i turn the key you can hear the starter spinning but it wont engage to the flywheel so ill pop start it and itll run fine and sometimes after i pop start it the starter will work 1-3 times and then i have to pop start it agian i noticed the black connector on the top of the starter can be pull off pretty easily ive wiggled it around while somone turned the key and it worked once but wont work now so my question is how would i go about fixing that or do i need a new starter i cant tell if its the connector or not because it wont start by wiggling it anymore im really hoping i can fix this because its annoying not being able to shut the car off and ontop of it my ebrake is sticking

 

[Tyeler18]

Sounds like either:

A) you have stripped teeth on your starter drive gear (should still catch and start though)
B) you have stripped teeth on your flywheel (will start depending on where the flywheel stops)
C) your starter drive gear isn't engaging far enough to mesh the teeth of the drive with the flywheel

Wouldn't hurt to pull the starter out and check it out visually. You can get it tested for free, which will give you somewhat of an idea what's wrong.

 

[MQTalon92]

It sounds like your first problem may be some bad spots on your flywheel ring gear causing the starter to just spin and not engage the engine. That will require the trans to be removed for repair. Next problem sounds like a connector to the starter may have gotten hot and lost its connection. First thing I would do is pull the starter with harness attached and repair the loose connection. Then with the starter off look into the starter opening on the bellhousing while someone turns the engine over by the front crank bolt to inspect the flywheel ring gear for ground down or missing teeth. At that point you decide if the trans needs to come out so you can remove the flywheel for replacement or repair.

 

[crfridah]

When I did my motor swap I inspected both and there's no worn down teeth on ethier it doesn't seem like its part way engaging it sounds like its ethier not engaging at all and then sometimes its Fine I'm gonna pull the starter and see if I can fix the connector for the solleniod but if that doenst work should I just replace it?

 

[Tyeler18]

Pull it and get it bench tested. The results aren't always accurate, especially with one that works intermittently, but from what you just described it's either too high of a voltage drop across your power wires (high resistance) or your starter is just crapping out. More than likely it's your starter but wouldn't hurt to clean your connections and try again.

 

[crash89]

I think it sounds like the solenoid on the starter is going out or sticking.. Try this.. Next time it just spins and doesnt engage, take a small hammer or a tool with a little bit of weight to it and knock on the starter solenoid a few times then try it again. If it works then the solenoid is sticking.

 

[MQTalon92]

You say the ring gear is good but I would look again while the starter is out. Also have the starter checked out to be sure it is good

 

[Tyeler18]

I think it sounds like the solenoid on the starter is going out or sticking.. Try this.. Next time it just spins and doesnt engage, take a small hammer or a tool with a little bit of weight to it and knock on the starter solenoid a few times then try it again. If it works then the solenoid is sticking.

The problem with this is that our starters are permanent magnet starters. I've seen people pound on them before and the magnet will break out and as the armature moves will blow the magnet out the side. Then you'd really need a new starter.

 

[crash89]

Well I wasn't saying use a 10lb mall!! Mine was acting up this past summer and I just used a wrench and a couple decent taps would take care of it.

 

[Tyeler18]

Well I wasn't saying use a 10lb mall!! Mine was acting up this past summer and I just used a wrench and a couple decent taps would take care of it.

You'd be surprised what people will do if you don't clarify. We've got warning labels on everything for a reason.

 

[crfridah]

haha alright thanks for the input guys i really apreciate it im gonna pull it in a little bit and see if i can test it at my dads shop could it be the battery has higher cranking amps then stock one by any chance?

 

[Tyeler18]

If the battery has higher cranking amps that's a good thing.

 

[crfridah]

i think i might have fixed (crossing my fingers) i replaced the connector and retighten the power on the starter and its been starting like a champ ever since!!