2005 Ford Taurus Logo
Anonymous Posted on Jul 27, 2012

I turn key and starter spin but will not engage flywheel.

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  • Posted on Jul 27, 2012
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You have one of two problems: Either the starter drive on your starter is defective and is not engaging the flywheel to crank the engine, or the flywheel has some broken or damaged teeth that are preventing the starter from engaging.
Starters come in a variety of designs. On some, the solenoid is mounted on top of the starter. When you turn the key, the solenoid routes current to the starter motor and at the same time pulls a lever that slides the drive gear mechanism out so it will engage the flywheel and crank the engine. If the solenoid is weak or damaged, it may not be strong enough to overcome the spring tension that retracts the drive gear. So the starter spins but doesn't crank the engine.
On other starters, the solenoid is mounted remotely. When the starter motor starts to spin, it ratchets out so the drive gear will engage the flywheel and crank the engine. If the drive mechanism is damaged or hung up, the motor may spin but not crank the engine.
Regardless of what type of starter you have, it will have to come out for further inspection. The drive gear (which is sometimes referred to as a "Bendix drive") should move out when the starter starts to spin. The drive gear usually has a one-way clutch that is supposed to protect the starter against damage if someone keeps cranking the engine once it starts. The gear should turn one way but not the other. If the gear is locked up or turns freely either way, the drive is bad and needs to be replaced. If the drive can't be replaced separately, you'll have to replace the entire starter.
Starter Testing If the drive seems okay, the starter should be "bench tested" using jumper cables or special equipment designed for this purpose.
CAUTION: Be careful because a starter develops a lot of torque. It should be held down with a strap or clamped in a vice (be careful not to crush or deform the housing!) before voltage is applied.
A simple no-load bench test can be performed with a battery and a pair of jumper cables to see if a starter motor will spin. But this test alone won't tell you if the starter is good or bad because a weak starter that lacks sufficient power to crank an engine at the proper speed (usually a minimum of 250 to 500 rpm) may still spin up to several thousand rpm when voltage is applied with no load.
A better method of determining a starter's condition is to have it tested on equipment that measures the starter's "amp draw." A good starter should normally draw a current of 60 to 150 amps, depending on the size or power rating of the starter. Some "high torque" GM starters may draw up to 250 amps, so refer to the OEM specifications to make sure the amp draw is within the acceptable range.
If the starter does not spin freely, or draws an unusually high or low number of amps, it is defective and replacement is required.
An unusually high current draw and low free turning speed typically indicate a shorted armature, grounded armature or field coils, or excessive friction within the starter itself (dirty, worn or binding bearings or bushings, a bent armature shaft or contact between the armature and field coils). The magnets in permanent magnet starters can sometimes break or separate from the housing and drag against the armature.
A starter that does not turn and draws a high current may have a ground in the terminal or field coils, or a frozen armature.
Failure to spin and zero current draw indicates an open field circuit, open armature coils, defective brushes or a defective solenoid.
Low free turning speed combined with a low current draw indicates high internal resistance (bad connections, bad brushes, open field coils or armature windings).

  • Charl Prins
    Charl Prins Mar 05, 2023

    i have put in new starter and ring gearg but iet whont start it donot ewen turn the engen

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  • Posted on Aug 03, 2021
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What sound is your starter making? I found this article that lists out 7 sounds the starter can make when it's not engaging, also the causes and the solutions.
Starter not engaging: What the sounds tell me?

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  • Posted on May 22, 2019
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Ur starter solenoid is out.

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  • Posted on May 21, 2019
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Your car starts fine....ur timing chain guide broke and you have no compression

5 Related Answers

marionbagget

  • 718 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 01, 2009

SOURCE: battery is good. clicking sound when trying to start engine

Better solution;
This sounds like it might be a corroded fusible link. Not enough current is getting to the starter.
I assumed you cleaned the battery cable connectors.
Test to see if the headlights will shine bright. (They are on the other battery cable)
The fusible link is generally located in one of the two cables coming off the positive battery terminal. It's a fusible bar that melts at over current. Sometimes the contacts on each end will corrode and need to be cleaned. Trace the cable until you find it. It might actually be in a fuse link box. If so unplug and replug all and see what happens.

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Jamie Heppner

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  • Posted on Dec 16, 2008

SOURCE: starter spins but wont engage flywheel

If you throw booser cables on does the car start ? If it doesnt then its time to replace your starter and relay.

motor1258

Mike Butler

  • 6674 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 07, 2009

SOURCE: starter will not mesh with flywheel

Sounds like drive is sticking again. Sometimes if you can remove an inspection cover & spray drive area with white lithium grease it will help, but not 100% if that's possible on your particular vehicle. Did you happen to double check alignment of starter? Sometimes too many shims, or maybe one added in right place will stop binding against flywheel to allow for better engagement.

Anonymous

  • 79 Answers
  • Posted on May 20, 2009

SOURCE: starter runs but won't engage flywheel

Hello, I would make sure that your car is not one of those half year cars becuase two differn't starters may be offered for the same year of car. Also, I would check and see if your battery has enough CCA's to power your system. The only other thing is to turn your crankshaft with a breaker bar to turn your flywheel to possibly get a fresh area of teeth on it. If none of this fails it's as simple as just replacing the flywheel. If you did a bench test on the starter and the bendix engaged that is good. Buying parts from an Auto parts store does not gurantee the part is good and that the bendix engages the full distance to turn the flywheel. I would try to find a mechanic who rebuilds starters to make sure that the bendix is engaging fully. I hope this helps you!

Randy Ohler

  • 14585 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 27, 2010

SOURCE: Replaced starter in '93 F-150 6 cyl auto, new

If the starter bendix is working then they gave you the wrong starter. or if yours has the cylinoid mounted on it , this woud be bad. either way you will need to take it back to the store. flywheels can't be adjusted

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