I get in my car the other day and start it up. It runs for about 2 seconds then dies. This isn't unusual so I quickly go to start it again and it sounds different. Like the starter is not catching the fly wheel (like it is spinning faster than normal with no flywheel/crank spinnage to get the car to fire).

So I pull the starter off and bring it to Autozone. It fails their tests, the little gear is not extending, probably bad solenoid. I pay the 130 bucks for the new one and bring it home. I put it on AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS.

I pull the valve cover off to check the timing belt and it is fine. I cranked the engine over a couple of times using the crank pulley and everything looks fine.

ANY IDEAS? Maybe the starter they gave me was also bad? I'm about to go crazy.

Thanks!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I get in my car the other day and start it up. It runs for about 2 seconds then dies. This isn't unusual so I quickly go to start it again and it sounds different. Like the starter is not catching the fly wheel (like it is spinning faster than normal with no flywheel/crank spinnage to get the car to fire).

So I pull the starter off and bring it to Autozone. It fails their tests, the little gear is not extending, probably bad solenoid. I pay the 130 bucks for the new one and bring it home. I put it on AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS.

I pull the valve cover off to check the timing belt and it is fine. I cranked the engine over a couple of times using the crank pulley and everything looks fine.

ANY IDEAS? Maybe the starter they gave me was also bad? I'm about to go crazy.

Thanks! </TD></TR></TABLE>

not sure if this might help but make sure the male/female connectors are on right...i was having probs with mine and was making nasty noices and it turned out to be that...heres a pic i found to show you what im talkin bout

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I get in my car the other day and start it up. It runs for about 2 seconds then dies. This isn't unusual so I quickly go to start it again and it sounds different. Like the starter is not catching the fly wheel (like it is spinning faster than normal with no flywheel/crank spinnage to get the car to fire).

So I pull the starter off and bring it to Autozone. It fails their tests, the little gear is not extending, probably bad solenoid. I pay the 130 bucks for the new one and bring it home. I put it on AND THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENS.

I pull the valve cover off to check the timing belt and it is fine. I cranked the engine over a couple of times using the crank pulley and everything looks fine.

ANY IDEAS? Maybe the starter they gave me was also bad? I'm about to go crazy.

Thanks! </TD></TR></TABLE>

Can you see the flywheel from the starter hole?
How does it look? How do the teeth look?

These are just things I might do if i were in your position and weather permitted.

 

hold on, you got a new starter or a new selinoid ...

 

Teeth on flywheel look fine. I got new starter/solonoid assembly. I think it may be the battery. Maybe the battery is not charged enough to start the car so it just strains to start it? We'll see today.


Modified by Philip at 9:02 AM 12/29/2006

 

not the battery

starter is good too... jus had it tested by autozone.

I'm stumped.


Modified by Philip at 12:35 PM 12/29/2006

 

what does the battery cables look like

 

all works now. I just put the starter back on and now it starts up... crazy

 

how old is the battery in your car?

 

Well initailly I would say that your starter isnt dis-engaging but after getting a "new" one I dont know what to tell you. Have you tried to push start your car if you have a manual. If it runs for a few seconds but dies afterwards your getting fuel and spark and compression so look places other than that. Also dont rule out your "new" starter because just because you bought it "new" doesnt mean that it works

 

The new starter itself could be having the same problem, i replace a starter on a crown vic the other day at work and it does the same thing.

Get myself a starter from another tech and it fire right up