I was starting the car and it bogged out a few times because I need to adjust the carburetor (just rebuilt.) I noticed that the starter continued to spin while I wasn't holding it in the start position. Well, after a few days I kept driving the car and didn't think much of the problem thinking it might resolve itself. I couldn't hear the starter trying to engage while the car was running because I'm open header for now and I can't hear anything. So this afternoon, I go to start my car, and the starter doesn't work, at all, I can hear it trying to move, but it doesn't engage the flywheel, and the gears on the starter don't seem to move. I believe the starter is done for. I'm trying to track the problem down, and after looking at a wiring diagram, there is a positive battery cable going straight to the starter. There is also a wire going to the ignition switch and in-between, there is a fuse. From the ignition switch, there is a wire going to the starter as well which gives it the power it needs. Power is getting to the starter, but the starter doesn't want to do anything. This leaves me to believe that there is something wrong with the ignition switch. Am I correct? Does anyone have any experience with this issue? Any help is definitely appreciated.

 

It depends if the switch trigger wire is getting 12v. You can measure to see if that trigger wire has 12v at the starter. If it does, remove the starter and bench test it to ensure the bendix it engaging. Bench testing can be done by using some jumper cables and a length of wire as the trigger.

 

Search here on my username and "starter". Everyone here has dealt with a bad starter and it's usually the solenoid (aka Bendix- a brand name), or the motor brushes are just worn down to nothing from years of use. If you try to bench test it, strap it or clamp it - they develop a lot of torque. Post back after your search,

 

I had the same problem, when I bench tested it, it worked. What happened was the jostling around from the uninstall seated the worn brushes. I bought starters from o'reily's, autozone, advance auto, and NAPA. The NAPA starter has kept working since 2006. If I had to do it again, I would have replaced the brushes on the OEM starter first.

Sometimes hitting the starter with a wrench will seat the brushes. A tow truck driver told me about it.

 

I use to pick up my girlfriend in my old 83 back in the 80's, and often I'd have to lay down next to the car and whack the starter to get going. Made a great impression, really.

 

We've all resorted to that to buy more time out of a bad starter. It's a bit of a right of passage, actually.