Kpmilke Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I have an automatic 2002 Subaru Forester, and I am having trouble possibly with the starter. I replaced this starter a year ago when the old one stopped working. Recently the car has had issues starting. All I here is a spinning noise which sounds like the bendix spinning but it does not sound like it is engaging the fly wheel. I have tested the starter to make sure the bendix was working by separating it from the engine while all the wiring was still hooked up. Upon turning the ignition on, the bendix drive pops out and starts spinning, just like it is supposed to. I can't find anything wrong with the starter, and there is nothing foreign up against the flywheel to block the bendix drive from coming out and grabbing the flywheel. I checked the teeth on the fly wheel and they were not worn or broken. I worked on the car for 5 hours today and out of the 30+ tries to get it started, it started twice. I am clueless. There is some wear on the front of the teeth of the bendix, is it possible that the bendix isn’t engaging the fly wheel enough, do I need to shim the starter? If anyone has any ideas, I would be most greatfull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 get a used OEM starter and install new brushes in it and you'll never have issues again. www.car-part.com verify it's popping out while on the vehicle. verify you have excellent voltage and power supply *at the starter*. starters draw boat loads of amps and need excellent connections to function. although normally they'll just click and not spin...you're spinning which is weird. aftermarket starters are terribly inconsistent, a sucky aftermarket starter is likely but we are dealing with a 16 year old car with unknown history and electrical/battery/starter signal/mechanical condition. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 get a used starter from a wreck - car-part.com ? be prepared to put new contacts inside if it is high miles. rebuilt units are notoriously risky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 doh, beat while typing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 ido - what is the difference in auto vs 5spd starters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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