thoughts?

it's not the oem starter but a higher torque replacement that was working before. switch back to the oe starter and try again?

 

You could pull out that starter and have it & oem starter tested at a parts store. If both test good, then perhaps the engine is flooded. How long of a drive or how long did the engine run the last time it was used?

 

So you hear the starter spinning but the engine is not turning over?

 

I drive it about once a month or every other month.

I sounds like the battery is down (crrrrrr) but I tested it and it's ok. I even tried jump start.

The engine does not turn, if it was flooded it would turn.

I might try swapping the starters out.

 

if you say the battery sounded down but checked good, then what do you mean by the battery checked good? Did you verify the output voltage with a voltmeter or was it load tested? A load test will indicate it has the proper cold cranking amps (CCAs) necessary to start the motor.

I knew someone who had a similar occurrence on an RX-8 and went thru 3 starters before he figured out that his motor was flooded. He even claimed that it wouldn't turn over as you described.

You could also pull the plugs and if they are wet, I would guess that its flooded.

 

load tested and voltage good.

i was watching while a friend tried to start, engine does not turn.

 

sounds like a stuck or faulty starter solenoid. This is the small round part on the side of the starter, which is responsible for the starter gear kicking out to the flywheel. Pull the starter out and bench test it.

Flooding will never cause the engine not to rotate.

 

thanks for the clarification. As Banzai recommends, bench test the starter from the car. While the OEM starter is also out, have it tested too.

Out of curiosity, why was the OEM starter replaced to begin with?

 

++ ^^ clean all connections, look specifically for a big wire that is loose, or frayed at the crimp.

 

If you installed a RX8 starter the nose is too short and does not allow the gear to engage the flywheel.

 

Check electrical connections. If that does not work, tap starter lightly with hammer. If that does not cause starter solenoid to engage, replace starter.

 

Is the starter solenoid engaging so the gear contacts the flywheel?

 

I swapped the noses before install. It was working before. I'll check the solenoid.

 

Switch back to the one starter. Something is messed up and switching noses on a starter doesn't sound like a good idea unless you have a really good idea about what you are doing and know exactly how to do it. Just my .02 cents.

 

I know what I'm doing, it was working fine except for this time. During the weekend I'll find out what it is and update.

 

Sounds like you have plenty of advice and directions to try. It would be interesting to read about your findings. Wish you the best of luck!

 

UPDATE!

swapped solenoids, swapped starters (with nose change every time)... nothing

turned out to be the Pettit Starter Booster relay...

I guess if it isn't broke... I thought I was beefing up my starting system and ended up having problems!

 

Congratulations on finding the problem! Is it now fixed and the car starts without issue?

 

You never mentioned that you had that installed, I would have told you to remove that first.

 

never crossed my mind until I ran out of ideas