starter bendix issue (1st post)

[Ray Birkhead]

03 chevy impala, starter is good, battery is good, voltage is within norm. ignition switch is good, when you go to start the starter motor just spin will not engage the Bendix to the flexplate or flywheel teeth are in good shape, take the starter out to test, it kicks bendix out everytime regardless of position put it in another vehicle works fine. I don’t want to throw parts at it. any ideas

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[Lorrin Barth]

I’m thinking that on that starter the two bolts at the business end go through vertically. Sometimes those had shims installed there. Sometimes thick shims. I had a car that had two shims in that position. So, anyway if not engaging, it might be too close to the flex plate teeth.

[Bret]

Sometimes starters need shims to line up correctly something eric does to test a starter is paint the teeth of the starter install it, run it and remove it and see where the starter made contact

[EricTheCarGuy]

In fact, here’s a video on that.

This might also be helpful.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Ray Birkhead]

Updated info..I put shims that lowered the stater a 1/4 inch and nothing..So I installed problen starter in another 03 impala..it started right up..put it back in original impala and same problem..This vehicle has Passlock security but light is not blinking goes out after 5 seconds..I am now wondering if there is a resistor that has gone bad..According to the owners the ignition never required a key with a chip..I feel it is an electrical issue just finding where problem is..Also noticed I do not hear fuel pump..

PS love your videos and content. Thank you for all your long hours and hard work to produce the videos.

[Jerry Shoup]

If the starter is spinning, then i can’t see how the problem could be electrical in nature. The solenoid has to be getting power when you turn the key to the start position, otherwise the motor wouldn’t spin. Since the starter works in another vehicle, there has to be a problem with the teath not engaging. Is it possible that the threads are bad on the mounting bolts, nuts, or housing? Maybe they’re not pulling the housing and the starter together, or keeping them together. Probably not, but i have had it happen before. Good luck.

[Jerry Shoup]

With respect to the issue of not hearing the fuel pump, you should check for fuel pressure at the fuel rail with a pressure meter. If you get proper pressure when you turn the key to the run position, you will know the pump’s working. If not, well….it’s not.

[Jerry Shoup]

Also, a quarter inch might have moved the starter too far away. Maybe a thinner shim should be tried.

[Jerry Shoup]

One more thought. You put your starter in another similar vehicle and it worked properly. Maybe you could put the starter that belongs to the other vehicle in your vehicle and see if it works in your car. If it doesnt, then the problem is probably something on your vehicle that is malfunctioning. If it does work, maybe you just trade starters.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Check the teeth on the flex plate. If they’ve worn out then the starter will not be able to engage properly. I covered this in the video I posted for you. It’s worth a look at least.

[Author]

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