Starter slips
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 8
From: Vacaville, CA
Starter slips
My starter engages MAYBE 20% of the time.
It free spins
I wait for it to stop
I try again
It’ll crank for a second before disengaging again.
I have to repeat this for a good 10 minutes just to get it to start.
I’ve tried different starters, shims, and even a washer between the starter and block to angle it more inward. What’s my next step with this?
(496 with an aftermarket but identical dimension flywheel)
It free spins
I wait for it to stop
I try again
It’ll crank for a second before disengaging again.
I have to repeat this for a good 10 minutes just to get it to start.
I’ve tried different starters, shims, and even a washer between the starter and block to angle it more inward. What’s my next step with this?
(496 with an aftermarket but identical dimension flywheel)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 414
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
How are the teeth on the flywheel and starter gear? Worn down or missing?
I would take a look at the engagement, maybe post pictures?
You can use a screwdriver to extend the starter gear, and you should adjust to where you can slide a paperclip inbetween the two gear sets when meshed together. And obviously you want the depth of the starter gear to fully cover the flywheel.
I’d start with no shims, extend the bendix and see where you’re at, add shims as necessary, measuring after each shim.
If you’re using a stock starter then I’m hesitant to believe that your flywheel is exactly the same dimensions as OEM. Only reason I say that is because the starter is fixed, you shouldn’t need to “angle it” inwards. If you’re using an aftermarket mini starter, they have multiple ways to shim, and who knows with build quality these days.
How many teeth are on your flywheel?
I would take a look at the engagement, maybe post pictures?
You can use a screwdriver to extend the starter gear, and you should adjust to where you can slide a paperclip inbetween the two gear sets when meshed together. And obviously you want the depth of the starter gear to fully cover the flywheel.
I’d start with no shims, extend the bendix and see where you’re at, add shims as necessary, measuring after each shim.
If you’re using a stock starter then I’m hesitant to believe that your flywheel is exactly the same dimensions as OEM. Only reason I say that is because the starter is fixed, you shouldn’t need to “angle it” inwards. If you’re using an aftermarket mini starter, they have multiple ways to shim, and who knows with build quality these days.
How many teeth are on your flywheel?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 783
Likes: 415
From: Western NY
not a starter expert but doesn't sound like an alignment issue to me. if it engages then disengages and spins it is probably a defective starter. either the solenoid or bendix probably. if it is grinding when engaged then maybe an alignment problem.
Pat
Pat
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
As the dentist said to the elderly patient in the chair:
You Have A Tooth Missing.
Back in the day before safety relays, a driver would mistakenly crank the IGN key while it was running.
It made an embarrassing, God awful sound that could be heard across the Hooters parking lot.
That sound was the removal of some flywheel teeth. You need to remove an inspection cover to verify.
You Have A Tooth Missing.
Back in the day before safety relays, a driver would mistakenly crank the IGN key while it was running.
It made an embarrassing, God awful sound that could be heard across the Hooters parking lot.
That sound was the removal of some flywheel teeth. You need to remove an inspection cover to verify.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 8
From: Vacaville, CA
Last edited by raz0rblade654; Apr 10, 2025 at 03:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 8
From: Vacaville, CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Bad Bendix drive on the drive end of the starter shaft. You can replace them, but check out YouTube to see how to do it. The lock-ring collar is the PITA on this repair. But, your original starter is still way better than any aftermarket unit you can buy.
I would give 90%+ odds of a bad/worn Bendix drive in your starter from the symptoms you described. (I just did this repair on a '65 Pontiac GP)
I would give 90%+ odds of a bad/worn Bendix drive in your starter from the symptoms you described. (I just did this repair on a '65 Pontiac GP)
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 78
Likes: 21
From: Michigan
Bad Bendix drive on the drive end of the starter shaft. You can replace them, but check out YouTube to see how to do it. The lock-ring collar is the PITA on this repair. But, your original starter is still way better than any aftermarket unit you can buy.
I would give 90%+ odds of a bad/worn Bendix drive in your starter from the symptoms you described. (I just did this repair on a '65 Pontiac GP)
I would give 90%+ odds of a bad/worn Bendix drive in your starter from the symptoms you described. (I just did this repair on a '65 Pontiac GP)
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