jozw30

Just finished up the ignition circuit on my swap (American autowire classic update harness using the 4l65e PNP switch and a relay to get NSS), and everything seems fine except the starter just spins away without engaging the flexplate....

Most google searching suggests the starter is bad. I will pull it down to check it out today hopefully, but figured I'd ask to see if there might be a swap/wiring related cause for this before I run out for a new starter.....

Battery is fully charged.

Odd that the starter would be bad as it came off a car with 18k miles on it and isn't even dirty. Not impossible I guess.

Anything else I should check?

76larkman

sounds like the starter drive is bad. The part with teeth on is bad. That's usually the problem as motor of starter works. You can buy starter drive at most parts stores. No big deal to replace. Rebuilt starters from parts stores are normally cleaned up core with only minimal parts replaced. I would fix yours.

jozw30

Thanks larkman!

I'll pull the starter tonight and look at it.

I'll call the parts store too.

jozw30

o'rieley's says they don't sell the drive part separate. Think they want me to buy a Chinese replacement.......

76larkman

Try a Napa parts store or find a shop that does electic/ starter/altenator rebuilding local. They usually have the parts on hand. Most sell what you need or fix reasonable for you.

jozw30

Ok, so I pulled the starter and hit it with direct battery current and the gear shot out no problem. I'm starting to think I've got some sort of wiring issue.

76larkman

the solenoid could have corroded terminals from sitting. full 12v directly to starter may have helped free it up. take it to autozone and they can spin see if spins out on machine ok. they do it for free.

Old Drive-ability

There's a lot going on in just the drive of a starter LOL

jozw30

Still not understanding why when I have the starter off the motor, and hit it with direct battery juice (+ and -), the drive gear flies out. But if I put it back onto the motor, remove the purple "start" wire and jumper the battery wire to the start terminal it just whirrrrs away and drive doesn't move outward at all........

I made sure the mounting surfaces were clean to ensure a good ground too.

Plan right now is to take it to be tested and maybe just get a new one.