What is one of the reasons that causes the starter to spin without engaging?
2 Answers
One of the reasons that causes the starter to spin without engaging is: the one-way clutch slipping. Other reasons that cause the starter to spin without engaging include: 1. Faulty electromagnetic switch; 2. Broken drive pinion teeth or severe wear on the flywheel ring gear; 3. Damaged, misaligned starter fork or detached pull rod hook. The starter, also known as the motor, converts the electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy to drive the engine flywheel rotation and achieve engine start-up. Symptoms of starter failure include: 1. The battery is dead or weak, causing the starter to fail to rotate or rotate slowly; 2. Loose or detached starter wiring, switch or solenoid switch failure; 3. Worn brushes or misaligned brush surfaces, weak springs, resulting in poor commutator contact; 4. Short circuit or open circuit in the field coil or armature coil; 5. Dirty commutator or protruding mica sheets, causing poor contact between the brushes and the commutator.
I recently encountered a starter motor spinning issue where the car only made a whirring sound when starting, but the engine didn't turn over. Buddy, this usually happens because the starter's pinion gear fails to engage with the engine flywheel's ring gear, possibly due to gear wear or rust jamming. Initially, I thought the battery was dead, but even after replacing it with a new one, the problem persisted. Later at the repair shop, the mechanic found the gear was loose and fixed it by replacing the component. I'd advise against stubbornly attempting multiple starts as it may burn out the motor or battery – better to find a reliable mechanic promptly. During routine maintenance, regularly check gear lubrication and apply some grease to prevent such failures. Manual transmission drivers should pay special attention as cold starts are more prone to this spinning issue.
