Starter relay

[Hanover Mopar]

My starter spins over and will not engage the flywheel. It is a year old Proform starter and I have had no problems with it and don't suspect the starter is the problem. I am guessing starter relay but I have very limited electrical experience.

Is there anyway to test the relay. A remote starter switch does nothing when hooked up and that's why I'm thinking starter relay

Thanks in advance

 

[moparnation74]

My friend had the same issue with the proform(junk) starters. That starter broke internally.....

If you starter is spinning and no cranking....sounds like the starter is broke internally/not engaging the flywheel....The relay wouldn't change that

 

[Hanover Mopar]

Could be but it started great last week and I can't use a remote starter because there is no power to activate starter.

So what is a good mini starter for a built 440 with headers.

Thanks in advance

 

[Fran Blacker]

As moparnation74 said it's the starter. Your starter shouldn't run until ring gear and starter gear are engaged.

 

[moparnation74]

He went with a MSD starter after the proform debacle....His went into a Hemi with TTI headers...

It draws more amps though

 

[Fran Blacker]

IMO there's to much hype about aftermarket starters. My Hemi has 10.5 to 1 compression, I never used a mini starter wanted to try one out. Hit the junk yard , $40 later had a starter to try out, still there 100's of starts later. If it crapped out I'd buy a new one, of course. IMO if you have a 12 to 1 plus motor an after market starter is probably a needed investment.

 

[Hanover Mopar]

I agree with everyone but if I hook up a remote starter to ground and the starter relay as I always do I get nothing and that's why i'm asking about the relay.
As you can see i'm waffling because changing this starter is a bitch but if have to I have to.
Can you test a relay.

Thanks

 

[Fran Blacker]

If your starter is turning over using the key it's not the relay. If you jumping the power at the starter that's another matter. Relays aren't big money, hate to sound like a replacement mechanic.

 

[moparnation74]

I agree with everyone but if I hook up a remote starter to ground and the starter relay as I always do I get nothing and that's why i'm asking about the relay.
As you can see i'm waffling because changing this starter is a bitch but if have to I have to.
Can you test a relay.

Thanks

If you have a spare change it out....But it's not the relay....

 

[moparnation74]

To test connect a voltmeter to the starter relay turn the key on...Record voltage..

Then connect the voltmeter to the starter solenoid turn the key on and record that voltage...

Helps if you have a buddy to turn the key on and off

Your looking for a voltage drop if the solenoid is bad...

 

[Hanover Mopar]

If your starter is turning over using the key it's not the relay

Spinning but not engaging. Nothing with the remote (no power) and yes relays they are cheap so replacement it is with fingers crossed. Doesn't work, new starter

 

[Fran Blacker]

If the relay's bad you have 2 problems.

 

[Yatzee]

My starter spins over and will not engage the flywheel. It is a year old Proform starter and I have had no problems with it and don't suspect the starter is the problem. I am guessing starter relay but I have very limited electrical experience.

Is there anyway to test the relay. A remote starter switch does nothing when hooked up and that's why I'm thinking starter relay

Thanks in advance

I had a similar problem, the cure wasn't so obvious but I repaired it. I had to remove the cover plate on the solenoid of the starter to discover that the feed wire inside had broken. I probably spun the terminal (that the solenoid wire connects to externally) wrapping and breaking the wire inside. If this is your issue ( burnt or broken ) you'll have to remove the starter anyway so you may as well resign yourself to changing it. IMO a Powermaster with an adjustable base or MSD with the same is best to use with TTI headers.

 

[Mike67]

Spinning but not engaging. Nothing with the remote (no power) and yes relays they are cheap so replacement it is with fingers crossed. Doesn't work, new starter

If the starter is spinning the relay is fine. Bendix is broken inside of the starter... Its what drives the starter gear out to engage the teeth on tc/flywheel

 

[Ranger16]

I'm with Mike. It almost has to be the bendix. Definitely ain't the relay.

 

[Hanover Mopar]

Problem fixed. As I sad the starter would not engage and I was ready to spring for a new starter. I had the plugs out when it would not engage. I reinstalled the plugs and said what the hell I’ll try again. Engaged fine and car started, now everything is normal, car is starting and running fine.

It will take someone a lot smarter than me (that’s many people) to explain this. Devine intervention???

 

[Fran Blacker]

Maybe you got lucky? Keep your fingers crossed! Have a $40 junk yard starter with tools in your trunk. I don't think problems fix themselves. I hope I'm wrong! I curious what other posts say.

 

[Mike67]

Never heard of one spinning and not engaging, usually it would just click and you could bang on it to get it unstuck and would work for a while....either way its failing if its hanging up...

 

[Ranger16]

I've seen 'em spin but not engage before.

Things don't just fix themselves. I suspect it is intermittent and will rear it's ugly head again.

 

[Hanover Mopar]

I suspect it is intermittent and will rear it's ugly head again.

Probably will. AAA on speed dial