Starter Question

[afields]

I have a 1980 FI Spider 2000 5 speed. It is in generally good running order, but I have an irritating problem that I hope I could get some input on. The problem is that when I try to start the car, I often get a single click from the starter but it doesn't crank the engine. I don't believe it is the battery or connections to the starter however, because if I put the car in first gear and I push the car forward, then the starter works and the car starts on the first crank. It is as if when the starter gear is actuated it does not mesh with the flywheel and/or turn it, unless I have previously put the car in gear and pushed the car forward in gear. So my question is what is causing this problem? When I push the car with it in first gear and the clutch out, I am guessing I am moving the flywheel slightly so that it then engages (meshes) properly with the starter gear? I have a new, rebuilt starter being shipped to me as I thought that replacing the starter might fix the problem (maybe the starter is weak are something), but I have not read in any of my manuals about this particular scenario and wonder if something else might be the culprit. The starter gear looks like its in good shape as does the flywheel gears that I can visually and manually check from the opening where the starter bolts on. Any help or suggestions on what is going on and how I can diagnose/fix it so I don't have to do the gymnastics to get the car started would be great.

AFields

[rlux4]

Sounds like what's happening is your starter drive is getting kicked out OK,(the click) but not spinning after it engages the flywheel. A starter that's wearing out will do that. Because pushing it gets it into a different position on the windings, I'm thinking your starter drive is engaged.
Ron

[afields]

Ron:

Thanks, that's great to know. Sounds like a replacement starter should do the trick then. I will find out once it arrives and I can install it.

Alan.

[rlux4]

afields, mirafiori.com has a good tech page with starter problem diagnosis in it. You may want to check it out here:
http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/st ... click.html
It's pretty much saying the same thing, but it's an informative article on the system.
Ron

[pope]

Ron, I think your hit this one out of the park. The solenoid is engaging, but the starter is hitting dead spots.

[rlux4]

I hope so. This is the kind of thing I learned as a kid. My Dad would buy a car at a wrecking yard, bring it home and tell me and my brothers to get it running. Then he'd drive it till the wheels fell off, and never do any maintenance. So we had to learn how to keep these junkers going by trial and error. Back when it was all mechanical I could keep a car running. Now, with all the electronics, I'm lost.
Ron

[afields]

Thanks for the link to the starter diagnosis pages. It looks like it breaks things down to simple tests! With a rebuilt starter on the way, I hope to be back on the road soon!