Starter problem - where to start? (pun intended)

[RoDo]

Last night my starter started giving me trouble. It consistently will turn the motor over once or twice and then it sounds like the starter gear is disengaging from the flywheel.

I took this video this morning. The last time I try starting it in the video, right about the 19 second mark, I keep the key engaged in the starting position and you can hear what sounds like the starter gear re-engage with the flywheel. If I keep the key engaged in general I can hear what sounds like the starter gear whirring.

Things I know:

• battery is very new and puts out ~13.5 volts at rest
• alternator is one month old and puts out anywhere from 13.8-14.4 volts while car is running
• car runs tip top once it is started
• starter worked fine until last night and no changes have been made

I haven't had time yet to dig into things and check for obvious stuff like loose connections etc. Any thoughts on where I should start troubleshooting?

Thanks in advance!

[RoDo]

I haven't had time yet to dig into things and check for obvious stuff like loose connections etc.

Okay, I checked connections at the starter and they are all tight. The starter itself feels solidly in position. Something I remembered from years ago troubleshooting starters with my Dad was the possibility of a stuck solenoid so I got a long screwdriver, placed it on and around the solenoid, and gave it several medium strength raps with a hammer. Starter works fine now.

Am I fixed? Or am I destined to have this happen again, probably at the most innopportune time?

[jlevie]

That is a sticking bendix, which can sometimes be cured by a rap on the start. But that probably isn't a complete fix and the problem will likely reoccur. Replacing the start with a factory reman (not a generic rebuild) is the full fix.

[RoDo]

That is a sticking bendix, which can sometimes be cured by a rap on the start. But that probably isn't a complete fix and the problem will likely reoccur. Replacing the start with a factory reman (not a generic rebuild) is the full fix.

Thank you sir.