intermittent starter trouble

[jaredts]

I'm sure a new starter would fix it, but I'm unsure how this can happen.  More and more as I hit the start position the starter motor spins without engaging the flexplate.  Sometimes it happens 4 or 5 times before it works.  I've had this in the past with other vehicles, but I don't really understand how.  If the flexplate is in o.k. shape, which mine is, I thought the solenoid had to push forward to make contact and make the motor spin.  Would just a new solenoid fix this?

[bake74]

     Think of a solenoid as a switch, on or off, open or closed.  The bendex in the starter is probably going out.  When the solenoid is energized, it supplies power to the starter and turns, the speed then spins the bendex gear out to make contact with the flex plate.   It is possible for the solenoid to go out, but unlikely to cut the 12v power down so it would say turn slow, more likely you will need to replace the starter.

[VileZambonie]

Reman starters are so cheap I would just get a new one as well.

[jaredts]

Thanks.  I'll just do that.  I thought the solenoid moved the gear out and then made the contacts to spin the motor, meaning that if the contacts were made and the starter motor spun the gear would have to be in position.

[Irish_Alley]

isnt it our starters that have a "fork" to kick the gear out to engage the fly or flex plate?