Posted on Dec 01, 2008

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Starter runs but won't engage flywheel

1996 Lincoln Continental- Went out to start the engine- The starter would turn but wouldn't engage the flywheel-130,000 miles on it, so I figured it was the bendix- I replaced the whole thing-all new starter complete . Flywheel looks like new-worn very little- the new starter is doing the same thing-it will run but will not engage the flywheel-I turned the flywheel some with a screw driver and it was turning the engine.
My dad was service mgr at a Ford dealership for years-got him stumped. I took the new starter back out tested it with battery cables.
The bendix is kickin out there like it is supposed to and returning.

3 more comments
amquality Jan 02, 2009

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. The car has been

broke down since Thanksgiving and I haven't had time to work

on it since. Your solution could be the answer, I haven't had time to check it out. Could it be that my new starter is bad? Out of specs? It is a re-build from Autozone.
rwlilguy Jan 12, 2009

Pulled out of a side street under power, next thing I know, the engine RPMs are up, but I am getting no drive power. Had the car idling, and it sounded as though there was some type of clanging- which also seemed to bring the RPMs below the normal idle. Turned the car off since I was not sure what it may be doing, and was not able to restart. Changed the starter- the other one tested good, but figured I would change it since it was out- and still will not turn over. Sounds as if the starter is engaging. Car is at the shop now. Is a 98 Continental.
rejecked Feb 01, 2009

Hello,
I am in the process of swapping out a D16Y8 with bad compression for a D16Y7. I got the engine in and all wired up and I am having problems with the starter. The transmission, Flywheel, clutch, pressure plate and starter are all from the D16Y8 and were working perfectly before the swap. Problem is the starter will not engage with the flywheel. When I installed the flywheel I put it on the same it came off the Y8. The starter and flywheel both have the same stock numbers, implying they are the same on the Y7 and the Y8.

I have taking the starter to AutoZone twice and it checked out fine both times. Right now I have the starter rigged up to bypass the ignition switch and I am jumping it directly from the battery using cables. The starter is working perfectly fine. It is spinning, the bendix is popping out and back in. I measured and it is roughly 1 3/4 inch from the back of the flywheel to where the starter mounts, the starter is roughly the same with maybe a eight inch more. The flywheel will turn over, by hand.

The starter is working but not "touching" the flywheel for some reason. I have no idea what would cause this problem. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Anonymous Mar 01, 2009

i have a problem too with the starter same thing with the y8 tranny hoowww do i fixx
Anonymous Mar 15, 2014

starter does not engage an engin,just turn aruond when started

1 Answer

Colin Stickland

Lincoln Master 22,516 Answers
Posted on Dec 27, 2008

Colin Stickland

Lincoln Master

Joined: Nov 04, 2008

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Engine crank thrusts worn and crank moved back enough to not engage ,with a manual the clutch would push it forewards.or the flex plate on the back of the torque converter damaged and broke in teh centre where bolts to the crank

Colin Stickland Jan 02, 2009

have a look but iam sure the starter is ok,as previous one done the same thing,measure distance from housing too ringear and check it out with nose cone on starter ???something is amiss and i will dream about it till its fixed
scott stanley Jan 13, 2014

will that cause the starter to run on top of the flywheel

1 Related Answer

Anonymous

79 Answers
Posted on May 20, 2009

SOURCE: starter runs but won't engage flywheel

Hello, I would make sure that your car is not one of those half year cars becuase two differn't starters may be offered for the same year of car. Also, I would check and see if your battery has enough CCA's to power your system. The only other thing is to turn your crankshaft with a breaker bar to turn your flywheel to possibly get a fresh area of teeth on it. If none of this fails it's as simple as just replacing the flywheel. If you did a bench test on the starter and the bendix engaged that is good. Buying parts from an Auto parts store does not gurantee the part is good and that the bendix engages the full distance to turn the flywheel. I would try to find a mechanic who rebuilds starters to make sure that the bendix is engaging fully. I hope this helps you!

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