Starter Motor - Solenoid Clicks, Pinion Fails to Engage

Number 85-9-10 Date 8/86

Subject: 5 MT CRANKING MOTOR SOLENOID CLICKS, PINION FAILS TO ENGAGE RING GEAR

ALL 1983-85 MODELS

STARTER:

DURING A START ATTEMPT, IF THE SOLENOID "CLICKS" AND THE PINION FAILS TO ENGAGE, THE USUAL CAUSES FOR THIS CONDITION SHOULD BE CHECKED. THESE CAUSES INCLUDE A DISCHARGED OR DEFECTIVE BATTERY, DEFECTIVE SWITCHES, EXCESSIVE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE, AND/OR A DEFECTIVE SOLENOID.. IF NO TROUBLES ARE FOUND, A POSSIBLE CAUSE MAY BE FAILURE OF THE SHIFT COLLAR TO MOVE ON THE DRIVE SHELL IN THE DRIVE ASSEMBLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE SHIFT LEVER MOVEMENT IS STOPPED, THE SOLENOID CONTACTS CANNOT CLOSE, AND THE RESULT IS A SOLENOID "CLICK" WITH FAILURE TO CRANK THE ENGINE. THIS TROUBLE WOULD OCCUR ONLY DURING A BUTT ENGAGEMENT, WHICH OCCURS WHEN THE PINION GEAR TEETH ARE NOT ALIGNED WITH THE RING GEAR TEETH. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CRANK USUALLY RESULT IN IMMEDIATE PINION ENGAGEMENT, AND THE CRANK ATTEMPT IS SUCCESSFUL. ON PROBLEM VEHICLES WHERE NONE OF THE USUAL CAUSES OF A SOLENOID "CLICK" ARE FOUND, REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVE ASSEMBLY MAY CORRECT THE PROBLEM.