starter ok, still whirs Help please

adventurer2112 · Post by **adventurer2112** » 20 Jun 2010, 14:26

HI All, 95 850 na 165K
Usually will turn over a few times, then whirs. Replaced battery, new battery terminal fasteners. Cleaned starter connections. Still whirs, so I took starter off of car, AutoZone says starter and solenoid are good, tested it 4 times, got a little hot but worked just fine.
Please HELP, thanks
Jack

Post by **vjaneczko** » 20 Jun 2010, 14:34

Could be the ignition lock mechanism. Have you tried wiggling the key after the engine starts? Might be dirty in there, too.

adventurer2112 · Post by **adventurer2112** » 20 Jun 2010, 14:40

Thanks, what am I looking for with wiggling the key?
Jack

bigwong · Post by **bigwong** » 20 Jun 2010, 15:02

If the starter and solenoid are OK, the next thing to check is the ring gear on the flywheel. If there is a spot where a couple of the teeth are worn, when the starter teeth get to that spot, they will not engage and just spin. The solution to this is to pull the motor and either replace the ring gear or remove and reverse it.
HTH

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Jun 2010, 15:14

If the starter and solenoid are OK, the next thing to check is the ring gear on the flywheel. If there is a spot where a couple of the teeth are worn, when the starter teeth get to that spot, they will not engage and just spin. The solution to this is to pull the motor and either replace the ring gear or remove and reverse it.

Yep. Are they 100% sure the solenoid is pushing the starter gear into the wheel every time? 2/3, that's what I've had stop working while the starter motor itself still worked just fine.

adventurer2112 · Post by **adventurer2112** » 20 Jun 2010, 17:36

HI so I want to be clear, the starter and solenoid can pass the autozone test out of the car, but actually the starter gear may only be engaging 2/3 and that be the problem. what does the wiggle the key give me ?

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Jun 2010, 18:30

Nah, I meant 2 out of 3 I have had go bad have had that happen; the other one just up and died completely.

The key wiggle won't do anything for you if the starter SPINS every time; but some people have had issues with thinking they have a dead starter and it really being the ignition switch not allowing it to engage when turned.

adventurer2112 · Post by **adventurer2112** » 20 Jun 2010, 18:56

Thanks, put the starter back in, but it will turn the engine over 2 or 4 times, then spin, usually. Or occasionally I turn the key and it just spins. I am real newbie mechanic. So Autozone test would not necessarily catch the the starter/solenoid not fully engaging, unless I looked inside the testing machine? Is that right?
Sorry to bother you all.
Thanks

whoa · Post by **whoa** » 20 Jun 2010, 19:46

If it spins, then how do you get it to NOT spin the next time? If it's just by sitting and waiting, I'll wager it's the starter's bendix (because you haven't moved the drive plate to let the starter gear see new teeth). If you have to put the car in gear, roll it a bit, etc., then maybe worn teeth on the drive plate. Easy to find out---when it spins, pull the starter and you should see the worn teeth.

adventurer2112 · Post by **adventurer2112** » 21 Jun 2010, 20:56

Thanks, I put in new starter and it starts right up.
Thanks
Jack