turn the key and only spinning

[spydergstftw]

Ok well, me and my buddy just put my motor back in time (dont ask why it was out of time) and when i got my car back from the transmission shop weeks ago they told me that i needed a new starter so since i was already working on the car, i bought and replaced the starter. well we turn the key and we hear some grinding then just spinning. its like the starter isn't catching the flywheel, we looked at the flywheel earlier and it looked god, the teeth felt like they were pretty deep. all this started happening after we got it back from the transmission shop (not to mention that i have a transmission leak somewhere that i havent found out where its coming from yet), I have a 1 year warranty on the transmission so i was thinking about taking the car to the tranny shop and getting them to find and fix the leak but could i also get them to replace the flywheel since it was in perfect working condition prior to bringing the car to the transmission shop?

 

[crash89]

Its possible that the new starter has a bad solenoid. If thats the case, the gear in the starter wont push out and engage the flywheel. Itll just spin like you described.

 

[spydergstftw]

ok ill get another and try that out
thank you

 

[Project91Tsi]

I would take the new starter to any local parts store before replacing it, they should be able to bench test it, which while not load testing, will give a pretty good idea if the bendix is kicking out properly. Also, make sure there aren't any chipped or worn teeth on the new starter that might be binding up when engaging the flywheel teeth. You might also try spinning the crank with a ratchet by hand to make sure nothing is binding up with the starter removed. I have seen hydrolocked engines strip flywheel teeth since the engine can't compress liquid that has filled a cylinder.