Any ideas on a starter problem that I have been having?
'85 Ply Voyager Van, 5speed manual, 2.2 engine.
When you turn the key the starter whines (spins), but does not engage. It happens about one out of every three starts. Once it happens, it keeps happening until you either, turn the key completly off and wait a moment, rock the van (doesn't matter if it is in gear or not), or pump the clutch a couple of times. The other times, the van starts fine.
No maintenance was done on the van in the 6 months prior to the problem starting. It happens both when the engine is hot or cold. I do not hear the starter hitting the flywheel. I have replaced the starter. Both the old and new starter bench tested fine. Remounted the starter four times. Replaced the ring gear on the flywheel. Replaced both the + and - battery cables. Replaced the battery. Installed a Ford starter relay to bypass any chance of corrosion in the ignition switch/selinod wiring.
Thanks