420A No start issue

[99DSMRS]

I just bought a 99 Eclipse RS 420a n/t and drove it home. But after I parked it it won’t start back up. The starter just spins or grinds against the flywheel like it’s not grabbing properly I tried a new starter an got the same result. My cousin says it’s probably the clutch needs replacing. I just need to know for sure before I order one today. Any help will be greatly appreciated

 

[GregoryRyan]

When you replaced the starter did you by chance check the teeth on the flywheel? To be clear the teeth on the flywheel are what the teeth on the starter link together to start the car. This has nothing to do with the clutch itself. If the starter is misaligned or loose it will have issues. Likewise if the teeth on the flywheel are rounded/chipped or it’s not installed correctly you will also have issues.

 

[99DSMRS]

The teeth on both the starter a flywheel are fine. Someone did tell my that it’s possible the flywheel could’ve seized up to just break all the bolts loose an bolt it back it

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Someone did tell my that it’s possible the flywheel could’ve seized up to just break all the bolts loose an bolt it back it

That shouldn't happen unless the engine seized up... You can try that method but it sounds like there's a bigger problem here.

 

[99DSMRS]

If that the case looks like I’m just gonna order a whole clutch kit with a fly wheels an just do it all while I’m under it

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Hey, real quick, check your oil level.

 

[99DSMRS]

I can turn all the pulleys with a ratchet no problem. Like I said I drove it home the day I bought it once I parked it it wouldn’t start back up. I know the throttle body needs adjusting cause it’s brand new an it idles real low

Oil level is full I filled it once I got it to my shop it was low like a quart

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Starter must need adjustment. Or tighten it up

 

[99DSMRS]

I’ve tried 2 starters both ended with the same result so I put the oem one back on. It either just spins or grinds against the flywheel. I tighten the crap out of the bolts. But I took it back off an it’s just sitting in the car. I wanted to see if I could turn the flywheel while it was in neutral but I wasn’t able to

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

I wanted to see if I could turn the flywheel while it was in neutral but I wasn’t able to

Well then it has nothing to do with the clutch. The clutch would only affect it when in gear.

 

[99DSMRS]

The clutch feels like poop anyway tho man like when I bought it an drove it home I couldn’t even feel the grab at all an the car would jerk when taking off. I know the clutch is bad. My coworker said that it could be possible the clutch started breaking apart inside an the flywheel could be jammed up by the pieces. But idk I’m just gonna drop the trans in the driveway and do a whole clutch kit just to be sure

Well then it has nothing to do with the clutch. The clutch would only affect it when in gear.

I even tried unplugging the neutral safety switch to see if that was a possible easy way out but nope still just spins except I don’t gotta press the clutch

 

[ThunderChild]

Just to be clear, can you turn the main balancer pulley, effectively turning the engine over, with a ratchet? How about push jumping it?

This sounds like a starter engagement issue or a bad flywheel.

Just so you're aware the clutch/flywheel in a 420a Eclipse is modular and a little more difficult to deal with IMHO than a standard clutch setup. The whole flywheel/pp/clutch modularly bolts to a flexplate that's attached to the flywheel, so just changing the clutch won't fix anything. You need to change the flexplate if anything, but first you need to find out what the real problem is.

Bench test the starters to make sure the Bendix fully engages out and the motor spins strong. Next check all your battery connections, especially the high current starter power and grounds, as well as the solenoid switch wire. If there's corrosion or questionable connections etc, replace or refurbish and retest.

 

[AWD-Tony]

If the clutch didn't feel right and you had a problem with it, I'd say it's something in that area. Pull the trans and see what's going on since it needs a clutch regardless. Post a video on youtube and paste the link here. That might be more helpful

 

[luv2rallye]

If the starter is spinning but not engaging the flywheel (or grinding it), your problem is not the clutch (or the clutch pedal position switch). It's either a bad starter (most likely), or the battery is weak (too low voltage under starter load), or the battery cable terminals (both ends of each) are not making good contact (too high resistance due to corrosion or loose), or if grinding you may have the wrong/bad starter or wrong starter plate. Any clutch issues are a completely separate issue.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

If the starter is spinning but not engaging the flywheel (or grinding it), your problem is not the clutch (or the clutch pedal position switch). It's either a bad starter (most likely), or the battery is weak (too low voltage under starter load), or the battery cable terminals (both ends of each) are not making good contact (too high resistance due to corrosion or loose), or if grinding you may have the wrong/bad starter or wrong starter plate. Any clutch issues are a completely separate issue.

https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/no-start-issue.524631/#post-153733992

 

[99DSMRS]

If the starter is spinning but not engaging the flywheel (or grinding it), your problem is not the clutch (or the clutch pedal position switch). It's either a bad starter (most likely), or the battery is weak (too low voltage under starter load), or the battery cable terminals (both ends of each) are not making good contact (too high resistance due to corrosion or loose), or if grinding you may have the wrong/bad starter or wrong starter plate. Any clutch issues are a completely separate issue.

It’s a brand new battery and I’ve also tried a new starter ended with the same result