Pontiac Repair: Pontiac sunfire start, starter solenoid, pontiac sunfire

Question
I have a 98 sunfire gt with a 4 cly. 2.4L motor. my problem began when i redid the exhaust from the manifold back. it would start a little hard but it would start. When removing the HSO2 sensor we may have damaged it. but the problem was liveable till about last week when it would barely start at all. I'm not a professional but i think the starter may be turning but not engaging the motor. i know it is not the battery on a account that i replaced it. We unplugged the HSO2 sensor and the car still had the same problem. It seems to start fine when warm. if you have any incite it would greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Gregory:

Well first off the H02 sensor will have nothing to do with starting. what happens when you try to start it? It doesn't crank? it has a delay when it cranks? the starter just spins out and will not enguage with the engine? does it grind when you try to start it? it could be just an issue with a bad starter motor assembly. when you need to do it acatually chel the "crank" wire at the starter solenoid when the engine is "cranked" it's a purple wire it should have battery volatge at it if it doesn't have what the battery has you have a bad contact somewlere and it's causing a voltage level drop. if you don't have full battery volatges at the solenois till will not pull the starter bendix (gear) into the flywheel and crank the car. That is wher I would atart looking.. If it has full battery volatge then you more then lilley have a bad starter assembly.
Good luck :-}