Bad Starter or Something else?

Hey Guys,
I just finnished replacing my tie rods and I wanted to get some gas, but when I turned the key and the solinoid didn't click but the starter spun. I tried it again and low and behold, nothing No solinoid click, no spin. nothing. I decided to test it so I shorted the start switch with a screwdriver and all I got was the starter spinning. I went and got a new solinoid, and put it in, but all I got when I turned the key was the starter spinning again, no solinoid. On the second try, nothing happened again. :? I then thought that maybe my battery was dieing. So I push it out the garage and hook up my cherokee to it and after about 10 minutes all i could get was the starter spinning about every other try. The only thing I havent tried replacing/ bypassing is the starter. Could this be the problem?

 

That was mainly why I was confused. The starter spins but the solinoid doesn't click in. Is there anything that can go wrong with the plunger that can keep it from engaging?

Edit: I'm suspecting the starter because both a 3 month old solinoid and a new solinoid wouldn't work.

 

When I insalled the new solinoid I took the starter off (easier) The plunger moves back and forth, although it wasn't a gliding movement, It didn't hit me as enough friction to cause a problem. How strong is the electromagnet in a solinoid anyways?

Edit: Was planning to take the starter to a autoparts store to get it tested, but then it started to snow.

 

Sounds like a bad starter bendix (broken spring or retainer washer) - just a guess!

 

try tapping on the solinoid with a wooden stick. could be sticking.

 

What is the voltage at the starter? the symptoms you describe indicate low voltage. Voltage drop is an important test for any kind of electrical problems and should be checked first before replacement of any components. FSM gives acceptable specs, if you don't have one its the best investment you will make in your JEEP. Mike

 

I agree you have a bad bendix drive .the solinoid moves and works starter turns but the shaft just spins inside the gear any starter shop can replace the drive.

 

Alright, I bench tested the starter today and much to my confusion there was nothing wrong that I could determine. The small gear came out and the starter spun each of the 5 or 6 times I tried it. I then rewired the soliniod switch to an independent one. (two actually, an momentary and a on/off) Well, the switch works just as well as the old one, meaning no improvement with it on the engine. The starter spins and but the engine doesn't turn over. I checked the teeth on the flywheel and the starter, they're there. I'm going to pick up a new starter today and switch the whole thing out, If it doesn't help I'll take it back.

On a side question, where is the ground to the battery supposed to hook up to the engine block, mine is hooked up through the alt bracket. just wondering seeing as when I bench tested it I had the ground straight to the battery.

 

Wait, I went over the posts again, and I'm a bit confused, is tinker saying that the starter can engage and spin, but that the gear doesn't have to turn with the shaft?

 

I am currently having the same problem.......ordered a new starter and they shipped the wrong one. To order another one was going to take about 4 days to get it. So.....I bought a new solinoid, installed it and I now have the same problem just not quite as bad.

The starter spins but it doesnt engage the fly wheel every time. The jeep is starting better(more frequently) since I swapped solinoids but is not dependable. I will be ordering a new starter.

 

OK, i've got a similar problem. About one time in 30 I get the nasty grinding sound when starting - the starter gear teeth don't engage the flywheel teeth. I replace the solinoid but that did't help. Battery voltage and cable are good.

Shims - I checked the gap very carefully when I had the trans out and I'm pretty sure I have the correct thickness of shims.

 

I had a similar problem in my F250. I replaced the solenoid and the starter. Turns out the problem was a bad battery. FWIW.

tommy b

 

I had a similar problem on a truck last summer- I pulled the starter and bench tested it and it appeared to work fine, bummer. It ended up being that the starter spun fine with no load but not enough torque to "crank" the engine.

-Mark

 

x2

 

I was thinking A Ford wrench (BFH)

 

Went to autozone and picked up a new starter for about $30. there system had the wrong starter for the 70 model, ended up geting one for the 69 model that was right. They even had one in the store. It fixed the problem, had to have been one of the internal components of the starter.