Today I went out to drive my girlfriends car a 1994 honda civic si. The car would not start, but when trying to start the car the starter motor was very audible, it was spinning very fast, completly independant from the engine/transmision. After I heard this I removed the key, but the starter continued to spin for upwards of 5 minutes, but the end it was smoking.
I am taking it to my local honda specialist tomorrow, I am just kind of perpleced as to what went wrong, I thought maybe the starter gear?
Anyone have this happen, any ideas?

 

dead starter solenoid inside the starter.

Replace the starter and be glad car didn't burn to the ground.


[Modified by Mista Bone, 8:43 AM 11/1/2002]

 

Yup- bad 'noid.

 

well it almost did...
how much does this run on a honda? I've had to replace solenoids on another car of mine, but it was a dodge and under warrenty.

 

This is what I remember could've/should've went wrong..

You turn the key to "START" and then let off and the starter keeps spinning by itself.. The reason behind this is that the Starter Solenoid is stuck.. The Release Spring within the Solenoid didn't push back the Plunger. With the Plunger still in place, the Disc on the Plunger connected the B+ Terminal to the M Terminal and kept the Starter powered and thus kept spinning the Armature which spun the Starter Drive.

Now I believe there's only one thing that could've happened which caused the Starter Drive to spin the Pinion Gear by itself.. Correct me if I'm wrong but.. I believe that the Front Bushing was worn out and allowed the Starter Drive to not come in contact with the Flywheel.. Which would explain the audible noise. But that audible noise could've also been because of the worn Front Bushing causing the Pinion Gear to grind the Flywheel. I'm not too sure on that..

But I do know one thing, you'll need a new Starter and Solenoid. The Starter Solenoid can be replaced, but that doesn't guarantee that it'll last long..

Here's some advice. If you ever let off the key from the "START" and the Armature of the Starter is still spinning, POP YOUR HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.. If you're fast enough, you'll save your Starter and you'll probably only have to buy a new Solenoid..

 

what he said..............

but just replace the whole starter.........

someone might have a few extras laying around used, cheap, just pay shipping.

I threw out a bunch not long ago