So yesterday the car wont turn over. I found out the solenoid was not retracting fully the way it should and its moving slow(I removed the starter and supplied power direct from battery). The motor is spinning fast and smooth. I applied some engine oil on the actuator to lubricate it. After a few push and pull on the actuator, it was snapping again when supplied with voltage. Installed back the starter and as of today, starting never miss.

My real question is about how long could this starter last considering it has suffered a stuck solenoid? Or should I get another starter.Odometer is now 322K miles.
Its a D15B (not the stock engine). But its more likely that the starter was from the stock engine since most engine sellers here sell only the bare engine. Other parts are sold separately. So everytime there is a swap, they use parts that are still ok like the starter,alternator TB,dizzy etc. And they dont sell just the solenoid, you have to buy the whole starter.

 

There's no way to predict.

 

D series starters are pretty cheap, and it's two bolts to remove, along with the battery cable, another 2 bolts (to do it the safe way, removing the battery cable first). Just get a spare. OEM parts can last a very very long time, and replacements are rarely of the same quality. The first starter in my Bronco lasted like 100k miles, and after that, they went every year or so.

 

Yah, I think I ought to get one for spare from the salvage yard once I got the chance. It would be very inconvenient if I will come to work without the car(long walk, no taxi).

 

yeah get a spare one asap