Starter not engaging the flywheel
#1
![KY](https://www.rx8club.com/images/icons/ky.jpg)
2004 mazda rx8 84K 6spd
The car was not starting...(not flooded)...the oem starter would not engage... it tested bad.... so i got a new starter from advance.... after i put it in it the starter would not hit the flywheel and engage... so i got a new battery with 850 cold cranking amps... nothing changed... took the starter back and got another one.... still will not hit the flywheel... so i take it to advance and a local starter shop to test the starter and both said it checked good...i took the car to a local mechanic to have him put it in and still the same he told me the starter is missing the flywheel by an 1/8 inch..so i went and got another starter from advance.... still the same... the starter from advance had the part number n3h1-18-400 (right starter for the car) and they told me it was the updated starter and was putting out the right amps....... the car still has the factory flywheel... any suggestions.... HELP PLEASE..... all the teeth on the flywheel is good by the way.... has anyone had the same problem????
Thanks
JOHN
The car was not starting...(not flooded)...the oem starter would not engage... it tested bad.... so i got a new starter from advance.... after i put it in it the starter would not hit the flywheel and engage... so i got a new battery with 850 cold cranking amps... nothing changed... took the starter back and got another one.... still will not hit the flywheel... so i take it to advance and a local starter shop to test the starter and both said it checked good...i took the car to a local mechanic to have him put it in and still the same he told me the starter is missing the flywheel by an 1/8 inch..so i went and got another starter from advance.... still the same... the starter from advance had the part number n3h1-18-400 (right starter for the car) and they told me it was the updated starter and was putting out the right amps....... the car still has the factory flywheel... any suggestions.... HELP PLEASE..... all the teeth on the flywheel is good by the way.... has anyone had the same problem????
Thanks
JOHN
#2
Out of NYC
iTrader: (1)
2004 mazda rx8 84K 6spd
The car was not starting...(not flooded)...the oem starter would not engage... it tested bad.... so i got a new starter from advance.... after i put it in it the starter would not hit the flywheel and engage... so i got a new battery with 850 cold cranking amps... nothing changed... took the starter back and got another one.... still will not hit the flywheel... so i take it to advance and a local starter shop to test the starter and both said it checked good...i took the car to a local mechanic to have him put it in and still the same he told me the starter is missing the flywheel by an 1/8 inch..so i went and got another starter from advance.... still the same... the starter from advance had the part number n3h1-18-400 (right starter for the car) and they told me it was the updated starter and was putting out the right amps....... the car still has the factory flywheel... any suggestions.... HELP PLEASE..... all the teeth on the flywheel is good by the way.... has anyone had the same problem????
Thanks
JOHN
The car was not starting...(not flooded)...the oem starter would not engage... it tested bad.... so i got a new starter from advance.... after i put it in it the starter would not hit the flywheel and engage... so i got a new battery with 850 cold cranking amps... nothing changed... took the starter back and got another one.... still will not hit the flywheel... so i take it to advance and a local starter shop to test the starter and both said it checked good...i took the car to a local mechanic to have him put it in and still the same he told me the starter is missing the flywheel by an 1/8 inch..so i went and got another starter from advance.... still the same... the starter from advance had the part number n3h1-18-400 (right starter for the car) and they told me it was the updated starter and was putting out the right amps....... the car still has the factory flywheel... any suggestions.... HELP PLEASE..... all the teeth on the flywheel is good by the way.... has anyone had the same problem????
Thanks
JOHN
#3
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
I'm curious how they could tell it was missing the flywheel by 1/8"
First thing you would normally check is the gap for the drive pinion while its extended out, but with a new (and multiple) starters having the same "issue" I really doubt this is something you need to do.
How exactly are they testing the starter?
Just applying voltage to the solenoid to watch the drive pinion extend out?
Like nycgps mentioned... might be the wrong starter.
First thing you would normally check is the gap for the drive pinion while its extended out, but with a new (and multiple) starters having the same "issue" I really doubt this is something you need to do.
How exactly are they testing the starter?
Just applying voltage to the solenoid to watch the drive pinion extend out?
Like nycgps mentioned... might be the wrong starter.
Last edited by Jon316G; 09-07-2009 at 09:48 PM.
#6
the drive on all three starters was going out all the way to the end...
as for advance and the starter shop checking to c if the starters was good... they checked it on a machine that reads amp put out and just watched the drive come out...
as for advance and the starter shop checking to c if the starters was good... they checked it on a machine that reads amp put out and just watched the drive come out...
#10
yes... when i unbolt it and hold it in my hand it zips out 100 mph..... i just put it back in and it catches the flywheel barely... i can hear it tap it.... but it never engages... I wish more rx8 owners lived near me... London, KY by the way..
#13
Grasshopper
iTrader: (1)
Just to clarify...
When you have the starter out and you turn the key to 'start', the solenoid pushes the drive pinion forward and the gear spins continuously until you turn the key off of the 'start' position?
Meaning, you can hold that key on 'start' for a good 5-10sec and the drive will continue to spin with the pinion extended?
When you have the starter out and you turn the key to 'start', the solenoid pushes the drive pinion forward and the gear spins continuously until you turn the key off of the 'start' position?
Meaning, you can hold that key on 'start' for a good 5-10sec and the drive will continue to spin with the pinion extended?
#18
sorry im back.... i fooled around with it... no luck.. still wont catch...it goes back in everytime...... Do i just need to buy the new upgraded OEM from the factory...
#25
Registered
iTrader: (2)
Here's a couple of pics for measurements. Don't mind where the gauge is sitting on the left. It's just the camera angle. See if your starter housing is close to these numbers. They are in Millimeters.
If your starter housing is under those dimensions then the autoparts store has an issue with their supplier of starters.
75.63 mm
![Name: starter01.jpg
Views: 1441
Size: 85.0 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/274083d1501528818-starter-not-engaging-flywheel-starter01.jpg)
38.63 mm
If your starter housing is under those dimensions then the autoparts store has an issue with their supplier of starters.
75.63 mm
![Name: starter01.jpg
Views: 1441
Size: 85.0 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/274083d1501528818-starter-not-engaging-flywheel-starter01.jpg)
38.63 mm
![Name: starter02.jpg
Views: 1302
Size: 69.5 KB](https://www.rx8club.com/attachments/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/274084d1501528818-starter-not-engaging-flywheel-starter02.jpg)
Last edited by Easy_E1; 09-07-2009 at 11:54 PM.