Starter issue
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Starter issue
Went to start my truck this evening, and the starter seems to spin freely. It isn't engaging with the flywheel. Not sure if it's an issue with bad teeth, bad starter, or wiring.
My starter isn't too easy to pull off. It's tangled up in the header on the passenger side.
Any ideas on where to start?
My engine and truck info is in my signature below.
My starter isn't too easy to pull off. It's tangled up in the header on the passenger side.
Any ideas on where to start?
My engine and truck info is in my signature below.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Have you actually crawled under the truck to look at it? On my truck, the top bolt on the starter came loose and left the starter hanging back so it wasn't making contact with the flywheel. Perhaps something like that happened. In any case, you'd have to get a visual on what's actually going on.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Yeah, I've looked at it. It's not loose.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I don't know about teeth on the flywheel. Never had any issues with anything like this or any starter noise while starting, so I doubt that's the issue.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Possible. I believe the solenoid is on the inside of the passenger side fender in the truck. Sound right? How would I test it?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I thought that one piece of the solenoid powered the spinning part of the starter, and another powered the "bendix" piece that pushes the gear out. I could be completely wrong.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Perhaps that's correct. I'm not sure. Every time I've had a solenoid go out, the starter neither spins, or pushes the gear out however.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
I had a solenoid go out once and the starter would pus the gear out, but not spin the starter. Ended up replacing the whole starter/solenoid assembly.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Just looked at a replacement starter online, and it looks like only 1 wire connects. So, there is only one piece getting power to push the gear out and spin the starter. I'll check it out soon and see how bad it'll be to pull my starter off...
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,933
Likes: 0
From: VA
Yeah, even though my engine is a 73' (out of a lincoln), the starter is the same one that was on the 351 that was pulled out of the truck 15 years ago. Probably the starter was never replaced on the 351, which would make the starter 25 years old.