Searched the forum but didn't see what looked quite like this problem.

Had the same problem in an 85 GS manual I owned 20 years ago:

Most times now when I go to start my car (after it's been sitting for, say, several hours at least, so it's no longer "warm"--e.g., overnight), I'll turn the key, the starter will spin...but the engine won't "catch."

I.e., you can hear the starter spin up, but it doesn't engage with the engine, engine won't turn over, the starter just whines as it spins up with no load.

To date I've eventually been able to get the car to start--by turning the ignition off then repeating the starting procedure, over and over, usually with some judicious extra pumps on the gas pedal but not enough to flood (of course, since the starter doesn't appear to engage I don't imagine the extra gas is helping much...).

It occasionally happens even when the car is warm, but it's essentially guaranteed to happen if it's cold.

At times I've had to sit there for over a minute like a fool, starter whining up and down, as I try to get the engine to catch and turn over. Once it *does* turn over--no problems, runs fine.

--Problem with the starter solenoid?
--Replace the starter?
--Something else?

The starter itself seem fine, it's the initial "catch" that's a consistent problem.

Since this is the second 85 I've had this *exact* problem with, I'm assuming others must have seen it and resolved; thoughts?

 

The starter solenoid is what make the starter "catch". If the starter spins, it has to be the solenoid not engaging.

 

Symptoms you describe sound like worn clutch in starter drive or bendix. Had the same with mine off and on for some time. While doing a clutch and had everything apart,took starter apart and put new bendix in and lubricated everything, cleaned up contacts,terminals and battery cables at starter. No issues afterwards, added benefit: audibly faster cranking speed. Not a fan of "remanufactured parts". Often your original part is in better shape than what you sometimes pay a lot of money for that doesn't work correctly or last long. If you can determine what the fault is with the starter(my money is on the drive) and repair it, you'll be money ahead and have the satisfaction of "fixing" something.

 

Another potential problem is that on at least some 1st gen flywheels, the ring gear on the flywheel is a friction fit. The ring gear can actually get loose and sometimes it will grab enough on the flywheel to spin the motor and start, other times it will just spin the ring gear. I have had this happen on two 1st gen RX7's. To resolve, you have to tack-weld the ring gear to the flywheel. To do it right, you need to remove the tranny so you can get the gear lined up. You might be able to do it through the hole in the bell housing after removing the starter. You should be able to pull the starter out and check to see if the ring gear is loose, ****-eyed, whatever.

Good luck. I hope the problem is just the starter.

Carl

 

I think my next step will be jacking up the car and pulling the starter; then cleaning it up and bench testing it a bit...hoping it's just crudded up and in need of cleaning etc.

 

Hello, how did the starter clean up work for you? I'm having same issue as OP: when cold, starter spins and doesn't catch, but when warm, sometimes cooperates. Cars is 82 gs with what appears to be newer flywheel or engine, since 82 starter didn't fit my flywheel and 83 starter does.

 

You're a little off for timing on this one, but hopefully the OP will post back.

Not following where your 82 vs. 83 starter would work or not. The nature of the starter and solenoid is that when you turn the key, the solenoid pushes the pinion gear out and into the flywheel teeth, THEN the starter motor power is applied - this ensures the pinion engages the ring gear before it's turning, which would chew up your flywheel ring gear. If the solenoid isn't pushing the pinion out far enough, it won't catch the ring gear and won't engage starter power.

In the case mentioned before (by the OP), it sounds like he needs to replace his starter - which is my recommendation to you, too. Out of the 2 I've owned, neither of my -7's have had issues with the ring gear coming loose; and if they did, the ring gear would be tighter when the engine is COLD vs. hot, as expansion of the ring gear when hot would make it loose. Plus, the flywheel doesn't get all that hot in operation anyway.