I got in my truck this morning and went to start it, all it does is spin it wont engage the flywheel, I dont have time to order a rebuild kit I can by a reman from partsamerica for $200.00 any suggestions on what went wrong so I can be prepard for a future failure.
or were to or not to buy reman starters from
Thanks,
Mike

 

Sounds like the bendix went south on ya. When you energize the starter (turn the key to start) it is supposed to energize an electro-magnetic ... lever (for a lack of better terms) that actually moves the starter gear to mesh with your flywheel. EDIT: This may be a centrifugal operation and not electrical.

I haven't rebuilt a starter in many moons and I'm not sure if that would come in a rebuild kit or not. It's somewhere to start from though.

*** I have seen one occasion where there was a tooth actually missing from the flywheel and even though the starter was actually doing what it was supposed to, it didn't have anything to grab onto.

PISTOL

 

Thanks Ill check the flywheel when I get home I bought a starter for$200.00 They dont have a complete rebuild kit for em!!
Mike

 

I had a simular problem with my 97 315. Starter spun, but would not engage flywheel. Thought maybe solenoid. Then a friend told me he had same problem, and he "rocked" truck back and forth in park the best he could, and tried it again and his started! So I tried it, and lo and behold it worked for me too. guess solenoid threw the starter pinion to a spot on flywheel where teeth would not engage. My 97 did it a few more times, but never had to "rock" truck again, always started on second or third try.

 

Thanks 57 Ill try that first when I get Home.
I appreciate the help Yall
Mike

 

i had a similar problem on my 94 about 3 weeks ago. turned out to be the bolts that held on the starter were loose and it was pushing itself away from the flywheel instead of turning it.

puff.

 

it is mechanically inpossible for the starter motor to receive voltage if the drive is not fully engaged in the ring gear. By mechanical leverage, the gear must engage BEFORE the solenoid striker plate can contact the power studs. This is done on purpose to prevent starter wind-up prior to engagement. What you have is a faulty clutch in the drive gear. They will usually show themselves by freewheeling a few times prior to never cranking again. This is your warning to replace the drive...a mere $38.00 part, and easily changed in 20 minutes without complete disassembly.

 

Bingo!

 

Whare can this drive clutch be purchased ??

 

take my word on it, buy a new starter from napa. they offer a 3 year warranty. I've brought mine back 2 times in three years. It's like an insurance policy. These starters take alot of torture in the cold.

BTW, you have to hire a gorilla to tighten the bolts like they were (6000 ft lbs)

I changed my bolts to grade 8- six point