josephdaniel Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 Hey everyone, im new here so please excuse me if this is in the wrong forum... I recently purchased my first Z after lusting over them for years! So the problem started shortly after I bought the car. When I was buying the car I noticed tgat the engine rurned over rather slowly when starting but I chocked it up to yhe engine just having very high compression. But ever since I have gotten home the starter ger engages but it never meshes with the flywheel. It just hits the flywheel banging on it? I have cleaned all the grounds installed a new battery and checked all the connections and everything looks super. So does anyone know what this could be? I just got my dream car and I havent even been able to drive it yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexter72 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 You may have to remove the starter to check the ring gear/ flywheel and make sure the teeth aren't ground away. If the teeth look ok, you may have to shim the starter away from the teeth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240z72 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Also check the bendex. Its the gear/shaft assembly thing that spins. Make shure its pops out tword the fly wheel when power is applied. If the gear just spins when power is applied the bendex is bad. Edited July 13, 2014 by 240z72 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domzs Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Also try to turn the engine manually to see if it turns freely . If it doesn't , remove all drive belts and try again . Hopefully , just a bad starter , not a locked motor . Make sure the battery and cables are in good condition . Good luck . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephdaniel Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 The dust cover is off of the flywheel so I can get to everything relatavely easy. The flywheel can be turned with some effort by my thin arms. I had someone crank the engine whilst I was under the car watching the starter and the bendix is engageing. The problem seems to be that its just hitting the flywheel and not meshing with it. In otherwards its like the teeth on the bendix are not lineing up with the teeth on the flywheel. The teeth on the flywheel look fine and they look fine on the starter too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephdaniel Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Im guessing the starter died on me but the selenoid is still good? I don't know if they can fail like that as I have never had to fuss with a starter much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240z72 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I'd recommend pulling the starter out and researching the starter you have. Making shure its the correct one. Count the teeth. Inspect things the best you can or seek help at a parts store. They will most of the time help you out. IF you can get another one that's the correct one for your setup next to nothing, that you know works, you can just switch and see if your still having issues. There's also a few voltage tests you can do to make shure the solinoid is sending PROPER voltage. But it may be a Lil involved if you never had experience with a volt meter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Is the starter spinning? If so, you need to shim it down from the block some, pretty much trial and error. Start with 0.020 and go up. If it's not spinning, you need to rebuild or replace the starter. jt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephdaniel Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 The starter is not spinning at all. I am fairly handy with a multimeter and a soldering iron, but as I said before I know almost nothing about starters or where I would even begin to test it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Consider taking it off and into the parts store. I think they can bench test it. If not the parts store, then find an auto electric shop in your town (my town has exactly one). I could fill the Louvre with all the parts Ive swapped when they were fine. Do as I say, not as I do: My most recent starting problem cost me $200 for a new starter (LS2-GTO), and a new ignition switch (spider bites from junkyard), a new key tumbler assembly ($200). The actual problem: bad battery. Have both the starter and the battery tested. Then go from there. If it worked in the past, even though it was slow, I doubt it is an incompatible starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I agree, take the starter off and try to find a auto electric repair shop that rebuilds their own starters, and have them test it. Around here, the rebuilt stuff you get from the big chain auto parts are very hit and miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240z72 Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 I Suggest educating yourself on starting systems. YouTube will help. It will be an uphill climb upside down if you have no clue how to take care of your new ride. Take the starter off and go to a shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daflyinghawaiin Posted July 17, 2014 Share Posted July 17, 2014 There are high torque mini starters for the Chevy small block engines. Relatively inexpensive and easily available. Nice to work with because of the smaller size too. Shims may help line it up but if it's not engaging and not spinning you may need a new starter and or battery too something's worn out. Keep us posted! Aloha, BOLO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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