Hi, im in need of some help. on the newly built a15e engine the starter motor is not engaging. It spins up and clunks against the flywheel but rarely catches and turns the motor. any ideas on why this could be? its got plenty of power and a charged 600cca battery on it.

When you say "clunks" against the flywheel,
you mean that the starter throws out the drive gear, but doesent engage the flywheel teeth?

If thats the case, then that ususally points to either a dodgy battery (you have said its good) so thats not it. or its a dodgy starter.

If it throws out, engages the flywheel, but doesent turn, its the battery.

Try putting it into a gear (as in first or third etc) and then pull it out of gear first and as this can help move the flywheel just a little bit, enough to get the starter gear to slide into place in the flywheel and start the motor.

it clunks but remains spinning. when it does engage its plenty to spin over the engine so not the battery, thats definete.

last time we installed that starter motor it did the same and then came right but it shouldnt do it for a start and its preventing me from getting the engine running at this stage

sounds like the solenoid is not poping out like it is meant too...if the motor spin then the motor is fine its just the solenoid that throws the gears onto the flywheel...easy thing to do is take it off and check it while its out of the car....if it doesnt throw out like its meant to then replace the solenoid....which isnt hard if you have a few starters lying around like myself

sometimes it just might be stuck so a hammer against the side works a treat

i swapped to another starter, all is good now.

Quote:
The most common cause of this is a worn drive gear. There is an overrunning clutch in the gear, which when it is worn it won't spin the engine. This is also called a "Bendix drive".

If this is the cause, usually you will hear a 'whiz' or a 'whir' sound.