Question2 months ago my starter began to give out. I spent about 2 months hammering on it to get it to start, and that seemed to work. That stopped, so I pop-started it to get it home. I took off the starter (which was warrantied) and got a new one, which I installed. The car started fine a couple of times. It made a thunk a couple of times, which made me think that the clearance was off a little between the gear and flywheel. Anyway, it still started with no problem.
I went back two days later to drive it, and it wouldn't start. It would chug and chug, but would not turnover. I tried jumping it, but it still would not start. I made sure the battery terminals were clear, but it would not start. Weird because it had started fine, and then just wouldn't do it again. Did the wiring on the starter short out? What gives?
AnswerHi Jamieson -
Sounds to me like you have a defective solenoid on the starter. Perhaps that wire is loose? (this is the smaller wire connected to the starter). I am assuming what you hear is the starter motor spinning, but not engaging into the flywheel, which would be the solenoid.
If this is the case, I would remove the starter and take it back to where you got it for a bench test.
hope this helps -
aloha
calvin
