Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Starter problem

I'm having starter problems now, which bites cuz I just spend $700 replacing the rack and pinion on my 98SEV6MTX 2 weeks ago. Anyway, the problem:

When I turn the key, I hear the starter turning but it doesn't crank the engine. I'm sure the pinion gear isn't contacting the flywheel like it should. My question is whether this sticking can be related to the cold weather we've had in Toronto (-20C/-5F)or if its a shot starter.

It starts up sometimes with no problems, but yesterday it was totally not starting. I've heard that hitting the starter with something might dislodge the pinion gearm but I can't find the damn thing on my car.

ANyone have a starter replaced? I'd also appreciate if someone gave me an idea of the costs associated with this would be.

Thanks loads...

RRW
98.5 Contour SE
2.5LV6 MTX
145,000km

I may have some bad news, the 98.5 mercury mystique I just traded started doint the same thing. It would not start every once in a while. The starter motor was running, but it would not start. I took it to the Mercury dealer, and they replaced the starter, it still would not start all the time. A week later when it would not start at all, I took it back. They looked at the flywheel, (the gear that the starter turns to start the engine). The flywheel was warped like a potato chip. If your starter motor is running when you turn the key, and it won't start the flywheel is most likely bad. For a few months in 98 ford used a cheap flywheel, and your car might have one. I know about this because my dad worked for ford. Take it to the dealer and insist that they look at the flywheel. Don't let them tell you that the starter needs to be replaced again. They will most likely find that the flywheel is bent, have them replace it. It will take 3 or more days, depending on your dealer. Also insist that they make ford pay for it. The flywheel on my car went bad at 62 thousand miles, and ford replaced it for free. BTW my car first started doing this on Dec 21, 2000 the first day it got below 15 F in Ohio, so this is very likely to be your problem.

Search around here.

I had the same problem, and mine was that my solinoid was sticking in the cold weather. I replaced my whole starter.

I bought a starter from Terry @ Sentry South (Scroll to Bottom of the Page), and then after working on it for a few hours, brought it to my mechanic to have him replace it. Read About it here

There is a good chance that it's not your flywheel (You better hope that it's not), but the weather is just too damn cold to work on it yourself without a heated garage!

just replaced my starter a couple weeks ago...it did the same thing you describe...my flywheel was fine,but the bearings in the starter were shot....got a new one at autozone(about $160 though)..it wasn't too hard to install...took alot of patience,and you have to remove a few things to get it out and back in...

Cripes... I'll have a fit if its my flywheel. The fortunate thing is that I've been plugging my block heater in the last 2 nights and its been starting with no problems. That and I've been talkin' sweet to my baby... maybe that did it.

On the other hand, if the flywheel were bent or warped, wouldn't you feel a vibration engaging the clutch?

By the way, anyone know where physically the starter is on the engine? I've read "upper-rear part of the engine" which seems wierd considering most starters are usually low on the engine.

The starter is located underneath the Airbox.

This is a unique position for the starter. You can access it by removing the battery and the stock airbox.

After that, you need to move around some coolant hoses and such to get at it, but you'll be able to see it by removing the airbox.

Also, sounds like it was your solinoid sticking in the cold weather since you aren't having problems now.

Good Luck!