Car won't start, starter issues I think

[j&j]

my wife's 07 mustang v6 5spd.

randomly she goes to start it and it has plenty of power, so it's not an electrical issue. it makes this strange noise, not like it's trying to turn over from a weak battery etc, but a high pitched buzzing almost.

I've read this can be the little gear not engaging the flywheel properly and just spinning in place basically, which means bad starter.

anyway, i just go to put a new starter in and the same damn thing, it was oddly hard to get the bolts back in though, which concerned me, i thought it should be stupid proof to put the thing back in, but maybe i'm doing something wrong?


thoughts?

 

[Fern]

Sounds like the solenoid is not kicking in properly.

Usually this is just a bad connection. Clean the battery connection starting at the battery, then clean the connection to the starter itself. (Use a steel brush and/or sandpaper.)

Otherwise, assuming your new starter did not come with a solenoid, the solenoid could be bad.

Fern

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Check fuses, starter cable connections (corrosion, loose), are the headlights dimming when you go to start it?

 

[j&j]

The connectors look like they are in good shape, nothing wrong with the battery cables, power is fine, all electrical looks good. I just replaced the starter and it's doing the same damn thing! It could be a fuse? I thought the loud buzzing/grinding noise meant the starter is engaging and the gear is just spinning?

I didn't see any broken teeth on the flywheel or starter though, so I definitely am confused...

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Is the starter a one piece solenoid and starter? Definitely sounds like a bad solenoid. I'd check the fuses first thing just in case. Mechanic told me to always start with the easy stuff. Is the buzzing coming from the starter?
You can get a bad starter out of the box.

 

[j&j]

Yes the starter is a complete replacement

 

[mike2fix]

Most Fords have a separately mounted solenoid and what you are describing sounds like yours is bad. Follow the positive cable from the battery, usually is very short and goes to the fender mounted solenoid.

 

[j&j]

autozone/duralast part number DL3262S

I thought the small cylinder on top of the starter was the solenoid??

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

autozone/duralast part number DL3262S

I thought the small cylinder on top of the starter was the solenoid??

It is. You bought the worst starter you could. Id return it and get another.

 

[j&j]

doesn't seem like a coincidence it's having the same issue though

 

[pauldun170]

How old is the battery?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Tap the starter with a wrench or hammer a couple times. If it starts after that then it's a bad starter/solenoid.
Report back

 

[phucheneh]

Eh...maybe expand upon 'the bolts were hard to get back in?'

If this is a 'whirring' or 'whining' noise, you've probably got two bad starters. If it's grinding, it could also be bad starters (overrunning clutches) but it's less likely. I would recheck your installation and make sure you've got the started inserted into the bellhousing properly. I believe that one needs to be pushed into place and held while you get a bolt snug...if you let it hang and just force it into place by tightening the bolt, it'll get hung up. It's not like a GM design where the starter only has to be pushed straight up.

 

[j&j]

Well, an update, now that it's darker out I checked and the headlights clearly are dimming while trying to start. Still note, it's not trying to turn over, strictly the "whirring/grinding/buzzing" noise, nothing else.


Also, there were no starting issues previously, it wasn't slow to start. Literally the day before I actually got in and it fired on first turn.


Edit : Tapping starter/solenoid trick did not work. The battery is about 2 years old, It's a 2007 car, we've replaced the battery once, so it's now on it's 2nd battery.

 

[phucheneh]

You're describing a bunch of different noises. Does it sound like an electric motor spinning? A constant, fairly 'clean' sounding hum? Lower pitch when the key is first turned to 'crank' position, but quickly becomes a higher pitch as the gear accelerates?

If the lights are dimming with a freewheeling starter gear, your battery is pretty dead.

If the sound is more like marbles in a trash can, it's an engagement issue.

I would take the battery out and leave it at the parts store for charging when you go to get another starter. Assuming you don't find the issue upon removing the old (new) one.

 

[LTC8K6]

Sounds like it might be an alignment problem. Were there any shims?

Might also be not enough current to the starter motor due to a poor connection somewhere.

I'd check the installation first.

 

[phucheneh]

No shimming on that starter. The bolts point the wrong way...using a spacer between the starter and it's mounting surface wouldn't change how tightly the starter gear and flywheel engage.

 

[Fern]

Well, an update, now that it's darker out I checked and the headlights clearly are dimming while trying to start. Still note, it's not trying to turn over, strictly the "whirring/grinding/buzzing" noise, nothing else.


Also, there were no starting issues previously, it wasn't slow to start. Literally the day before I actually got in and it fired on first turn.


Edit : Tapping starter/solenoid trick did not work. The battery is about 2 years old, It's a 2007 car, we've replaced the battery once, so it's now on it's 2nd battery.

I'd suggest going down to an auto parts store and having the battery checked. Still sounds to me like insufficient battery power to fully engage the solenoid/starter. Dimming headlights is not a good sign.

You can also remove the starter and then test it using jumper cables. You can watch it and make sure it's functioning properly. Note that the torque will make it want to twist when powered up.

Fern