Flexplate + Starter = My Issue (Maybe?)

[PaulFiveOh]

I need advice.

I have power to a confirmed good starter. I have power all the way up to the solenoid on the starter. When I turn the key, I can here the starter solenoid bang loud but the starter motor does not turn.

When I drop the starter, it spins fine using the battery test method. (Important to state because that does NOT rule out an electrical issue in my car.)

The car has a new batt. I'm pretty good with electrical stuff and with the use or my meter pretty much have determined that I am not experiencing a short or any thing like that. Voltage doesnt drop below 12 at the starter when I am trying to make it crank.

Based on that - With my limited knowledge I can only assume the starter gear is not meshing with the flex plate. This doesnt make sense to me though as the car started fine with the old starter before it had the same problem I am having now.

So my question is.....
1) How do I isolate the problem to prove that the issue is my starter gear not meshing with the flex plate.
2) How do I fix it?


Thanks

[bangingears]

put a breaker bar on the balancer bolt and see if you can turn the engine over. 12v all the time on large wire, 12v w/ key in the start position at the starter. 92-93 cars the starter solenoids are wired different from the rest.

[PaulFiveOh]

Can you explain the bottom part? I don't have a solid understanding of how the signaling works on the remote solenoid.

And fyi- I can jump the starter with it in the car and the same thing happens.

And to you first point - Should i take some spark plugs out first?

[Carl]

If you want to verify that the teeth are engaging, paint up the starter drive and check to see if there is paint transfer on the flexplate. Kinda like checking gear meshing in the diff.

[1992MustangDW]

I would make sure your motor will turn over first, by hand. then see if it will start might be hanging up teeth to teeth. If everything checks out count teeth on your old starter compared to your new one.

[Black Horse]

You might also want to lossen the starter bolts slightly and see if it makes a difference. It may be a spacer needed issue.

[NXcoupe]

Your starter was wired up incorrectly. You have to take the large wire from the starter and put it onto the same lug on the relay that the battery is connected to. Then the small wire from the starter goes on the other stud and should be the only wire on it. Next, remove the starter and inspect the teeth on the flywheel. If the front edge of the teeth are rounded or chipped, chances are that's the problem. We have one in the shop right now.