S470D Starter Spins but does not engage

[Steve777]

Yet another problem I am dealing with in my spring cleanup is the starter. It now will only spin the motor when the key is in start, but not engage or turn the flywheel.

This problem has been building for a while. A couple of months back I pulled the starter because of the same issue (although it was only a 50% problem then). No signs of unusual wear on the flywheel gear or the starter gear. And it worked perfectly on the bench, gear always came out and turned. I lubed it with silicone spray and reinstalled it, and it was fine for a dozen or so starts. However today the starter is failing to engage 100% of the time.

Seems like it may just be a weak solenoid or sticky bendix, but I am unsure of how I can test these under load (since they seem fine in the open air).

Any thoughts here? Just bring it to a starter shop for a rebuild? Can one get a new solenoid or bendix oneself and replace them?

TIA

 

[oliver28472]

I just take mine to a repair shop.

 

[aircommuter]

The bendix drive is probably slipping internally, it is a one clutch inside.

 

[aircommuter]

One way clutch. Correction on missing word.

 

[satelite]

take it off clean lub ,, and look for the problem,, solenoid may not be getting voltage or ground. loose connection,, solder and cleaning and lub will solve lots. esp. making connections. solenoid fork may have come lose ect.