won't start

It just gets better and better, doesn't it? The starter is out and ready to take back to the store. I note that bolt in the starter which is the start terminal is loose, when all others are solid - hopefully, this is a problem. Is there a way to turn the motor that doesn't involve removing the radiator? I am not seeing how to get to anything to turn it by hand without some massive disassembly.

Can you not get a ratchet from the under side?

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And your correct the bolt should be solid its defective

Remove all spark plugs the engine should not be to difficult to turn

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The parts store agreed that it is a defective starter, and another is on order. It should arrive Tuesday afternoon.
The sparks plugs are out, but even from underneath, I'm not seeing how to turn the engine unless one first removes at least all the radiator hoses. It's really crowded up there.

With the plugs out if your drive belts are tight and in good shape, you can turn the crank by turning the alternator or power steering pump center nut. Gotta be out of gear, of course.

Hornhospital ftw

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There is another cause of a starter motor turning but not engaging the the flywheel on the motor.

This is if you have the Black/Yellow wire on the wrong post on the solenoid.
There should be two small posts on the solenoid...one has the Black/Yellow wire which is +12 volts when you turn ignition to ON and the other is a Black/Green wire which is for the unloader relays.

Make sure these are the correct way around.

Sparks coming from the starter motor indicate a bad winding on the rotor so every time that section of the winding comes under the brushes at the commutator ring...sparks happen!

We picked up the 2nd "new" starter today. This one had a terminal bolt that was stripped out of the solenoid such that it was possible to completely remove it from the solenoid by hand. We took it back. The only starter they can get at our local parts store is remanufactured in Mexico by Duralast. I'm thinking they don't pay the workers very well, because we are 2 for 2. Suggestions for a better quality starter? All the ones I see in my searches are remanufactured, but some have better warranties than others. I welcome your input.

Rockauto.com is all you need to know.

Sadly, Rockauto does not have a starter for my vehicle. Do you have any experience with AutohauzAZ?

Can you turn the engine by hand? In neutral (manual) or park (auto) with ign off.

Pelicanparts.com

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HELLO BLUEPONY!!! CAN YOU TURN THE ENGINE BY HAND??? YOU ARE WASTING EFFORT UNTIL YOU ESTABLISH THAT THERE IS NO INTERNAL FAILURE!!! AS HH SAID WITH NO PLUGS AND TIGHT BELTS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ROTATE THE ENGINE!! SORRY about the capitals but its seems you still have not made this vital, easy test. You should be able to see the ring gear teeth with a torch and mirror as well as the motor is turned.