Need starter help? Bad Starter?????

[Jeeptruck]

Just bought a 1989 Grand Waggie minus a starter and battery. I thought $100.00 what the heck. Now new battery some electric problems with the power windows etc..... Now the real problem new starter in tight turn the switch, starter turns but does not does not turn flywheel. Flywheel looked good all teeth in tack. Turned motor a few turns with a wrench still not engaging. Did I get a bad starter form Auto Zone????? Bendix bad??? Can they check these out????

[bvibert]

Hmm... sounds like you may have gotten a bum starter. I think that you can take it out and hook jumper cables to it to see if the bendix is working...

[Jeeptruck]

red jumper pos post to pos hookup on starter. black neg post and ground on the starter case?

[bvibert]

That should do it. I would just touch the ground to the case to see if it works instead of attaching it. All you should have to do is make the connection momentarily to see if it works...

[Jeeptruck]

alright took starter out tested at home bedix worked fine. put back in no crank engine. took out tested at home worked. took to Auto Zone bench tested worked fine checked to make sure this is the correct starter. came home installed starter, no crank engine just loud starter spin noise. HELP PLEASE.

[Darin]

This morning I replaced my starter due to the exact same condition you mention. New started worked for me, but I was wondering from your post if the gears were actually meshing since the starter tested out good. I know these units aren't supposed to be shimed, but that's all I can think of.

[johnwaynejeep]

I would look into the shim. If the flywheel is intact and the starter works then the only 2 reason's it wouldn't work is either it's not getting enouph juice or you need a shim to match the bendix to the flywheel.
You may wanna see if the engine was swapped out (or the tranny for that matter). If the PO swapped from 401 to 360 or vise versa maybe theres some issues with flywheel placement. Ask around.

[Jeeptruck]

ya shims are the only other thing I could think of being the problem. Got a few beers and trying to find some help to push it in the shop....a buddy is in the way with a chebby sub....tow up the hill unhook coast hopefully into the door opening, LOL

[Jeeptruck]

Ok update took inspection cover off and flywheel turns but the motor does not rotate.....what now?

[bvibert]

The only way that I can see the flexplate (its an automatic right?) would turn and not the motor would be that it is not bolted up to the crank, or something bad broke... Sounds like you'll have to drop the tranny :( ...

[andy d]

the fingers on the flex plate may have broken. you have to remove trans to replace it

[Jeeptruck]

how do i tell about the flex plate?

[bvibert]

Basically pull the tranny and see if the flex plate is broken.

[Jeeptruck]

thats the only way, man you guys are going to make me go to the store for more beer.....

[bvibert]

Better get lots! :D

[Mikel2]

Maybe the screws have been sheared. Can you turn the torque converter by hand?
Good luck.
Mikel

[Jeeptruck]

ok verdict is in and it seems that the flywheel/flexplate/powerplate has broken. Now does anyone have one? anyone? BTW what trans is in a 1989 Grand Raggoneer

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I would have several. However you are better off buying a new one. :rolleyes: It would suck to put in a used one and have it break as yours has. :mad: BUY NEW, they are around $40.00 to $50.00. ;)

[bvibert]

Go ahead and buy a new flexplate like CJ said. $40-50 isn't bad, think of it as cheap insurance. An 89 GW would have a TF727

[Jeeptruck]

My parts man will have it Monday. Told me it will fit 1988-1993. Did they also use this in the Grand Chero? Thanks for all your help guys....Mike