Need help

[MoparJoe]

Hey
Somethings up with my car when I try to crank it it sounds like a vaccuum cleaner. And it wont turn over. HELP HELP HELP.

[turbokid]

Need more then that???
Has the car sat? Has it been starting lately at all? Did you lock the motor up? Proper voltage at the battery to actually start the car? Have you tapped the starter and tried again?
More information would be nice since internet diagnoses is always a guessing game with minimal info

[Twisted Noodle]

Starter solenoid, starter isn't engaging and the "vacuum cleaner" sound is the starter spinning and vibrating without the noise of the engine drowning it out.

[4Daytonas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted Noodle Starter solenoid, starter isn't engaging and the "vacuum cleaner" sound is the starter spinning and vibrating without the noise of the engine drowning it out.

How can the starter spin if the solenoid doesn't work?

[Twisted Noodle]

The term solenoid refers to a variety of transducer devices that convert energy into linear motion.

So with that being said. the solenoid pushes the gear (on a shaft) into the flywheel. The teeth mesh up and the engine turns over. The actual starter itself can spin freely without the solenoid engaging the flywheel.

I have had starters in the past do this same thing. You can hear the starter spinning but with the absence of engine noise (obviously) the starter is audible.

I am by no means a mechanic but I have worked on all my own vehicles. Even my motorcycle has a starter that is actuated with a solenoid.

[MoparJoe]

Hey Sorry I didnt give much info, No the car hasnt sat it had just been started about 4 hours prior to this happening.

[4Daytonas]

[quote=Twisted Noodle;1379335]The term solenoid refers to a variety of transducer devices that convert energy into linear motion.

So with that being said. the solenoid pushes the gear (on a shaft) into the flywheel. The teeth mesh up and the engine turns over. The actual starter itself can spin freely without the solenoid engaging the flywheel.



I am by no means a mechanic
You said it--the solenoid engages the flywheel and completes the circuit to spin the starter.if the starter spins with the key and the engine doesn't turn then the over running cluth (sometimes called the bendix on Fords) is bad or the flywheel teeth are missing.you should have said "the actual starter CAN'T spin freely without the solenoid engaging the flywheel".

[Shadow24V]

was the motor "kicking back" on prior starts? i ate the keyway on 3 or 4 starters with a bad tune because it would kick back real hard on starting, taxing the starter's mechanical connection. once the keyway broke, the gear would spin on the shaft by hand and when i went to start the car, the shaft would spin, solenoid would actuate, but the gear was free to sit there with the shaft spinning inside it.

[Twisted Noodle]

[quote=4Daytonas;1379455]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisted Noodle The term solenoid refers to a variety of transducer devices that convert energy into linear motion. So with that being said. the solenoid pushes the gear (on a shaft) into the flywheel. The teeth mesh up and the engine turns over. The actual starter itself can spin freely without the solenoid engaging the flywheel. I am by no means a mechanic You said it--the solenoid engages the flywheel and completes the circuit to spin the starter.if the starter spins with the key and the engine doesn't turn then the over running cluth (sometimes called the bendix on Fords) is bad or the flywheel teeth are missing.you should have said "the actual starter CAN'T spin freely without the solenoid engaging the flywheel".

No, I meant what i said. the flywheel doesn't complete any "circuit" if there is a problem outside what the starters actual job is, then you need to find that for yourself. All I am saying is, the starter has a solenoid that pushes the gear to engage the flywheel. if that is stripped then that is something you need to diagnosis for yourself.

If you hear a noise or a "vacuum" sound, then the starter is probably spinning but is not engaging. there is a problem with the solenoid. REPLACE THE STARTER.

[Canty]

+1 on the bad starter...been there, done that!

[NAJ]

Test the wiring at the starter.
Constant 12 volts at the battery feed and the smaller solenoid wire will be powered with the key in the start position.
If power is present at both replace the starter, assuming it is tight and not just hanging there with loose bolts.

[4Daytonas]

[quote=Twisted Noodle;1379564]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Daytonas No, I meant what i said. the flywheel doesn't complete any "circuit" if there is a problem outside what the starters actual job is, then you need to find that for yourself. All I am saying is, the starter has a solenoid that pushes the gear to engage the flywheel. if that is stripped then that is something you need to diagnosis for yourself. If you hear a noise or a "vacuum" sound, then the starter is probably spinning but is not engaging. there is a problem with the solenoid. REPLACE THE STARTER.

I finally agree with you .we're both saying the samre thing in a different way.No the flywheel doesn't complete any curcuit but the solenoid has to engage to power the starter.If the solenoid is disconnected from the arm that moves the starter drive then it could spin without emgaging the flywheel.

[2.2LturboI]

Thanks for all the help. Im picking up a new starter for it. is there anything I need to know when replacing it. Anything tricky or a bitch to get to like a bolt or anything.

[Twisted Noodle]

I never-seize the piss out of everything. So it comes off easy the next time you will need to replace it.

[2.2LturboI]

Oh hey just so you all know im running under 2 screen names depending what PC im on. Oh also has anyone used the started from advanced auto parts?