new starter issue?!?

[e30shmobberr]

i was doing errands and went to my house to drop something off. i go to start the car and my starter cranks for a half a sec then stops and makes a high pitch spinning sound. i turn off the key, and its still running. i sprint to my wrench, pull the ground off the battery.

its was a new starter, but i bought it a year and a half ago. but installed it when the s50 was first in.

does this this mean a new starter?

[AnimalE30]

If its just spinning, then it sounds like the solenoid isn't working properly. Which is a common issue with starters. Why it would keep spinning after the key is out, im not sure.

Have you tried giving it a couple whacks to see if you can get the solenoid to function?

[Cyrix2k]

If its just spinning, then it sounds like the solenoid isn't working properly. Which is a common issue with starters. Why it would keep spinning after the key is out, im not sure.

Have you tried giving it a couple whacks to see if you can get the solenoid to function?

because the solenoid is stuck and that is what controls power to the starter motor. Think of a big relay - it's stuck in the on position. Like you said, it's pretty common - time for a new starter.

[e30shmobberr]

because the solenoid is stuck and that is what controls power to the starter motor. Think of a big relay - it's stuck in the on position. Like you said, it's pretty common - time for a new starter.

I might change the solenoid cause I have less than 1,500 miles with this starter in

[AnimalE30]

because the solenoid is stuck and that is what controls power to the starter motor. Think of a big relay - it's stuck in the on position. Like you said, it's pretty common - time for a new starter.

I was under the impression the only thing the solenoid does is engage the starter to the flywheel and then back off. Good to know!

[dogsbark26]

I was under the impression the only thing the solenoid does is engage the starter to the flywheel and then back off. Good to know!

AnimalE30 - I believe your original impression was correct. The solenoid most certainly does not control power to the starter motor (at least none I've ever rebuilt did).

[Cyrix2k]

AnimalE30 - I believe your original impression was correct. The solenoid most certainly does not control power to the starter motor (at least none I've ever rebuilt did).

it does.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starter_solenoid

Look at how your starter is wired next time. You'll see a battery connection & a start connection on the solenoid. If the key gave power directly to the starter motor, you would see a switched high current connection coming from the car. That doesn't exist - instead, there is a switched high current connection provided by the solenoid. This is easy to confirm with a voltmeter.

This is for a ford, but they're all about the same


:edit: On the above diagram, you would find the following if you were to measure the terminals with a volt meter:

(VOLTS)
Terminal | Car OFF | IN START
S(tart) 0 BATTERY (~10-12)
B(attery) BATTERY (12.8) BATTERY (~10-12)
M(otor) 0 BATTERY (~10-12)

The start voltage is provided by the car and low/moderate current. The battery & motor terminals are high current. The battery terminal is connected directly to the battery and not switched. The motor terminal is what power the start motor and switched by the solenoid. It should be clear that the car has no provision for a switched high current source.

[dogsbark26]

Cyrix2k, you are correct and I was wrong. Thank you for pointing that out (and educating me). I should have been tipped off by the name (solenoid).