Starter Spins, but does not engage

[jimmyfloyd]

ok. 95 Explorer sport. 4.0L OHV. Automatic.

My starter is currently just spinning and not engaging.

Background:

I've been trying to get this truck up and running for a while. Been working on several vehicles and the house, so I don't get to it all that often. Had a starter issue when I got it. Removed the starter, it was rusty and siezed. got a used starter without the solonoid and used my solonoid. Had it tested and it tested fine at Autozone.

I put the starter in, and it turned the motor over, but the motor wouldn't fire. tapped the crank sensor, reseated all fuses and connections at top of the motor. This got it to fire and run..... roughly. Seemed like a misfire, but I wanted to get a video of it for diagnosis. Turned the truck off, got my camera, went to start the truck and all I get is the starter spinning. No start or even engagement. This was no more than 3-5 minutes after the last time it was started.

Other pertinent info, I checked the flywheel and there were no missing teeth and it appeared to be solid.

So any ideas on what could be causing this? Should I just get a new starter and call it a day?

Thanks

 

[Electrohacker]

I say at minimum you might be pulling the starter to test it.

if you do buy one keep the receipt handy in case it wasnt the culprit

 

[my pos mounty]

At a minimum, bench test the starter, watch the bendix to see if it shoots all the way out. Doesn't sound like it is. New starter (or a quality rebuilding) may very well be needed.

 

[SuRrEaLNJ]

if the flywheel is good then you need a new starter my freind.

 

[ProjectAviator]

Could be the flywheel has broken. My 96 Limited had the flywheel brake and the started would turn but wasn't turning the engine.

Tim

 

[Electrohacker]

BTW napa has a $82 taxed core charge... FYI

 

[jremington59]

Turn the crank over by hand half way and then try the starter again. But if I had to guess it sounds like the bendix isn't fully engaging.

 

[jimmyfloyd]

I had this starter tested, and tested it myself before putting it in and it did go out, but that's not to say that it somehow stopped after I got it started (only started once after testing, but did sit for 1-3 weeks between.)

I did buy a new starter to have on hand, and to swap in. I am going to try and pull this starter and check the fly wheel again. Once I verify that that isn't the culprit, I'll swap the new starter in and hopefully be done with this issue once and for all so I can start driving it. I have someone who wants to buy my current daily, so I need new wheels soon.

 

[jimmyfloyd]

well, just to update this again. I found my answer. Aparently it was both, and after replacing the starter and getting it running, it broke the flywheel. So now I have a broken flywheel to replace. How hard is this and where should I get one from?

Also, didn't use the new starter, so I can return that.