The starter apparently went out on this car. I would not turn the engine over, but there was the whirring sound of the starter motor running, but not engaging the flywheel. I pulled the old starter off and checked the flywheel, it looks OK.... all the teeth are still there. I turned the engine over with ratchet on the damper, and verified that the flywheel was turning, engine not locked up, and crankshaft not broken. Well, I figured what else can it be but that the bendix isn't pulling the pinion forward? I wasn't hearing the loud click of the bendix either. So I bought a rebuilt starter which has a brand new bendix, installed it.....but it does the SAME thing! you hear the starter motor whirring and there is a heavy drain on the battery, but no click, and engine does not turn over. What could this possibly be, but that the bendix isn't pulling the pinion forward to engage the flywheel......again? There is only one power terminal to connect power to, the main power wire from th battery, and another smaller red wire that feeds power on to the rest of the car. then there is a small green wire with a spade terminal, the control wire, that I put on the press-on lug for the control. I tried putting this wire the other little press-on lug on the other side of the front of the bendix, but then nothing happens when I turn the key...so I must be on the right terminal. What am I missing here, that's causing it to spin but not to engage...because somehow (don't see how) ......it is not the starter itself? The battery voltage is up, BTW, not low at all.
- posted
19 years ago