hi i have a h22a auto prelude. the starter would spin but would never engage the flywheel.

when i pulled the starter/solenoid off, the pinion was broken off and took a piece of the metal around where it comes out with it. i got the pinion out from between the torque converter with a coat hanger, but can't find the curved metal piece even with a flash light and mirrors. i put my old h23 starter on for now.

what would cause the pinion to shear off? does this happen often? the starter gear looked worn too. i took out the spark plugs and could easily turn it over by hand. i had recently replaced a bad/rough alternator.

Pictures:
http://people.clemson.edu/~dde...1.jpg
http://people.clemson.edu/~dde...2.jpg

thanks for any suggestions.

 

Okay, even after turning the engine over, I can't find that curved metal piece that broke off from around the pinion. I'm sure it's still in there somewhere.

Two options: should I remove the transmission to get in between the torque convertor, or just crank it up and hope that it gets broken up to smaller pieces until it falls through?

I'm still confused why the pinion broke off to begin with. This doesn't seem to be a common problem / failure.

 

The one way clutch on that pinion may have seized up, not allowing it to freewheel once the engine turns over. When the engine starts it will overpower the starter a little bit, and the one way clutch will freewheel the pinion until the pinion retracts into the case again.