Starter spins, doesn’t engage? (1 Viewer)

[2000ish]

My LX470 is having some issues. I was going about 15 down a backroad when suddenly I lost power to my wheels. I stopped, went neutral to drive again, and gave it some gas. I could hear the engine rev so I opted to turn it off thinking it was a trans issue. I go to turn it back on about 10 minutes later and it won’t crank, but I can hear the starter spinning.

I assumed it was a starter issue after that. I replaced the starter, timing belt, pulleys, and water pump while it was all down. After it was all back together, same thing. I also removed the starter relay and bypassed it but that also didn’t work. Battery is showing proper levels and all grounds/ terminals are clean. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[GerLC100]

When you attempt to start: does the flex plate spin? Do you see the torque converter spinning? How did the gears on the starter look like?

 

[2000ish]

When you attempt to start: does the flex plate spin? Do you see the torque converter spinning? How did the gears on the starter look like?

Flex plate and torque converter does not spin, gears on the starter didn’t appear to be that worn at all.

 

[GerLC100]

Can you post a picture of the flex plate teeth? I haven't been down that road myself, but I somehow have in mind one gear is eating the other. Just not sure whether the flex plate is supposed to be winner or the starter...?!

When you installed the starter you could see proper seating of both gears?

Lets see what more experienced used say, but I personally would see two starting points:
1. Starter doesn't engage in gearing properly --> I guess you would have seen this while installing...
2. Starter tries to engage, doesn't rotate as something behind the starter is stuck (likely tranny?!?) Not sure if there's a way to rotate the flex plate by hand...

 

[2000ish]

Waiting on a call back from my mechanic. I had it towed over and he ran a compression test and said he believes the engine is shot. Thank you for the replies!

 

[3_puppies]

Waiting on a call back from my mechanic. I had it towed over and he ran a compression test and said he believes the engine is shot. Thank you for the replies!

kinda hard to do a compression check if the starter isn't turning the engine over

unless the engine was overheated or run with no oil, unlikley the engine is "shot"

very likely the no drive issue could be a drive plate stripped

 

[2000ish]

kinda hard to do a compression check if the starter isn't turning the engine over

unless the engine was overheated or run with no oil, unlikley the engine is "shot"

very likely the no drive issue could be a drive plate stripped

That’s what I was thinking

 

[3_puppies]

just a recap, it wouldn't turn over, changed the starter, timing belt, etc and still won't turn the engine over?
starter spins but doesn't engage the flywheel?

 

[2000ish]

just a recap, it wouldn't turn over, changed the starter, timing belt, etc and still won't turn the engine over?
starter spins but doesn't engage the flywheel?

Yessir

 

[Zuberg]

Did you bench test the starter before installing to confirm the new one operated properly? Solenoid is extending the gear to engage flywheel?

 

[2000ish]

Turns out my flywheel was cracked, $1200 fix!

 

[Zuberg]

Glad you got it sorted out and shared the final outcome!

 

[Mike NXP]

Turns out my flywheel was cracked, $1200 fix!

That's wild, I don't think I've seen anyone have that failure before on these engines but I could be mistaken

So your original post mentions this sort of just happened while driving along with no issues, and then you felt a loss of power, and ever since then the original and your new starter wouldn't engage.

Weird, I wonder how a flywheel could crack mid drive like that

 

[2000ish]

That's wild, I don't think I've seen anyone have that failure before on these engines but I could be mistaken

So your original post mentions this sort of just happened while driving along with no issues, and then you felt a loss of power, and ever since then the original and your new starter wouldn't engage.

Weird, I wonder how a flywheel could crack mid drive like that

That’s exactly what I was thinking, I’m glad the mechanic I took it to actually checked it out. The previous shop I was at just quoted me for a new engine

 

[Mike NXP]

That’s exactly what I was thinking, I’m glad the mechanic I took it to actually checked it out. The previous shop I was at just quoted me for a new engine

Lol yeah and lied about compression testing an engine that doesn't even turn over . Good find / fix

 

[3_puppies]

good you got it fixed, thanks for closing this thread out

 

[2000ish]

Update! The exact same thing happened last night, once again broke down. I’m 100% sure the flywheel is the culprit again considering all the symptoms are the same. Anyone know if a faulty torque converter could be the issue?

 

[2001LC]

We've seen stories here in mud, of cracked flex plate. They result in a vibration/rattle. But engine still started okay. I suppose if one kept driving with badly rattling flex plate, it could grenade.

Did they show you the old busted flex plate? Pictures?
What year is your LX and how many miles?

You can pull bellhousing inspection plate and look at flex plate. If flexplate busting apart, seems you'd see some metal fragments, in bottom of bellhousing. You can also turn the crank with 22mm socket, placed on front crank bolt. Then inspect each flexplate to Torque Converter (TC) bolts. A bore scope can be used to see close the center of flex plate, for break.

If flex plate was and new is, indeed busted aging. And was properly installed. Then yes, you've either some issue with TC or even Auto Transmission (AT), like possibly front bearing of output shaft OR a crankshaft issue. If front bearing in AT, you'd likely see AT fluid leak at bellhousing (inspection plate) weep hole. If a crankshaft vibration issue. You'd likely see rear main engine oil leak.

Flex plate install, must do:
Thread locker on bolt threads
Odd color bolt first. (alignment bolt)
Torque each bolt to spec.
History of engine and Transmission services, can be revealing.

Bellhousing inspection plate.