Starter pinion gear does not engage

[cudaboy1965]

the starter some times spins when turning the key. Just does not engage the flywheel. This is intermittent issue.
What's up?

 

[nm9stheham]

- The one way engage gear (the Bendix gear) may broken internally or externally
- Throwout fork for the Bendix gear may be bent up or partly broken
- Teeth all worn out on the flywheel. Do/did you ever have a grinding of the Bendix against the flywheel?

Bottom, line: pull the starter and look at the flywheel and check the Bendix/throwout, etc.

 

[cudaboy1965]

Thanks. This is an intermittent issue.
Could it be the solenoid or relay ground?
No I didn't check the flywheel but when it works it sounds and starts fine.

 

[nm9stheham]

If the starter spins but just does not engage, then it is in the starter or flywheel, not in the starter relay. The solenoid is in the starter; perhaps you mean the starter relay on the firewall? That is not an issue if the starter spins, as the relay and its ground has to work for the starter to spin at all.

The way this works is that the starter relay applies 12v to the solenoid in the starter; the solenoid activates and moves a lever which 'throws' the gear into engagement with the flywheel and also closes a contact inside the starter that puts the juice to the main starter windings. So if the starter spins, the solenoid is basically working but something is wrong with the gear not moving far enough to engage the flywheel, the flywheel teeth are gone/ground down, or the one-way clutch in the Bendix gear is not holding.

It probably has nothing to do with this problem but clean up the battery ground to the engine and the battery cable to the starter just to eliminate anything there.

 

[cudaboy1965]

Thanks. Someone else mentioned the flywheel gear issue.
If I crank the starter a few times it eventually engages. I replaced the original starter (with a mini) and the problem resolved for a while but then returned.

 

[nm9stheham]

When it happens again, stop and jump out and try to turn the engine by hand a few degrees. It should then engage on the next try if it is the flywheel teeth. But usually, worn flywheel teeth will result in a harsh grinding noise when it does not turn and you would know that.

Make sure the starter is in tight.

 

[TrailBeast]

A dry or gummed up starter gear shaft can cause this also.

Just FYI

 

[AJ/FormS]

BENDEXs can be intermitant.
Sometimes the rollers are cranky, like us old men.
The starter is designed so that the starter motor cannot spin until the bendex has been launched into the flywheel.Since your starter is spinning, everything in that part of the design is working. Since the engine doesnt crank everytime, that indicates that the bendex clutch is failing.
Not everyone is capable or willing to replace just the bendex.And if the bendex is that far done, chances are the starter needs or will need brushes soon too.And end bearings.And a good cleaning.
A new or rebuilt starter might be a good alternative.

 

[cudaboy1965]

Thanks every one. Local Mopar guy thinks it's a starter issue too. I'm going to get a NEW denso mini and hope it resolves.

 

[nm9stheham]

Good deal; let us know how it works out.

 

[cudaboy1965]

Installed a new Denso starter and a fresh new battery. I got 20-30 clean starts. Now instead of being an intermittent issue the starter spins and NEVER engages the engine.
Need to bump start every time now.

 

[cudaboy1965]

Installed a new Denso starter and a fresh new battery. I got 20-30 clean starts. Now instead of being an intermittent issue the starter spins and NEVER engages the engine.
Need to bump start every time now.

 

[TrailBeast]

Installed a new Denso starter and a fresh new battery. I got 20-30 clean starts. Now instead of being an intermittent issue the starter spins and NEVER engages the engine.
Need to bump start every time now.

Man you sure ran across the starter woes.
Take it back and get a new one.

 

[furyus2]

What do the ring gear teeth look like? Are they worn? Rounded off? When I read you had already replaced the starter, curing the problem for a while, that says ring gear worn. All these starters can't be bad with the same issue. Time to pull the trans.

 

[cudaboy1965]

Not sure what a worn ring gear might look like. I did look and it looks ok. Tried rotating engine to expose a fresh spot and no go either.
If it is the gear...... Oh my.

 

[67Dart273]

I've never seen an "entire ring gear bad" Much more likely this is right in the starter itself