Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting starter motor

My 96 contour v6 atx starter acted a little funny today. When I went out today my car started fine but when I got home today I did not park my car in my usual spot so I decided to move it later and when I went to go crank my car the starter just spun off not catching the gear to start. I let go quickly so I dont mess anything up. I started the car again and it started fine I tried doing the same thing over to see if it does the same thing and it did not happen. Do you think you guys can help me with my problem. I had my starter replaced at 88000 miles and right now I have 121000 miles on the car. This problem occurred last year only one time and nothing ever happen until now.

One of two things:-Could be the starter again with the sol not pulling it into engagement or a 'dead' area on the flex plate ring gear with damaged teeth,if its that one its a trans out for a new flex plate.To check you could remove the starter an bar round the engine to check all the teeth on the flexplate ringear....

I'm having the same problem. Any idea if there's a service bulletin that will help allay some of the costs of replacing the ring gear flex ring? The labor is astronomical for pulling the tranny. FTR, I have a 96 SE w/atx. It "mills" about once every couple of days. How long before it's toast?

I would check into changing the starter solenoid asap. You will probably find 1 really worn spot on the flexplate.V6 engines stop in 1 of three places. The milling you here every couple of days will appear in the same spot.Since it is expensive to change the flexplate...I would start with the starter.

PS...you will find a starter engagement point every 120 degrees of rotation of the flexplate.

Good luck.

Already had the starter replaced last week. No improvement. The old starter gear was nice and shiny on the edge towards the flywheel. Obvious milling. I took it to a Ford dealership yesterday and the service Mgr took one look at the starter and said that the ring gear was probably damaged. 10-12 hrs labor to R&R. Asked him if there were any service bulletins regarding starter problems on this vehicle and he said he wasn't aware of any. A service technician at a dealership wouldn't lie, right? Yeah, right!