Starter problems Intrigue 2000

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robertford893

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Thanks for all help.

I replaced my starter about 4-5 months ago (cheapest one from Autozone). Started up like it was brand new until now. I got stranded while I was at a restaurant one night. I would try to start it and no crank. Just a whirring sound, which was probably the starter turning.

Had AAA come out and they tested my battery and gave it a clean bill of health. Took the starter to Autozone for testing and they said the Bendix works and the starter was in good shape.

Decided to clean all grounds and contacts on battery and starter. Still no go.

I have two main questions: 1) Can autozone give false positives for starter tests? 2) if the starter really is fine, what do I do now?

Thanks!
 
The ignition switch is a widely reported failure point that can cause mysterious starting faults.
 
Yes. My Intrigue starter had previously given false positive readings also.
Had starting problems for 5 years, mechanic tested and his diagnostic equipment told him that the starter was okay, he thought there was something unusual about it. He rigged up a testing device which bypassed one of the circuits and he found that the bypassed circuit was giving a false reading. All this time, it was the starter. Since it eventually started , everyone else thought it must have been something else. By-passsed circuit could be part of security system.
Everyone was reluctant to replace a part that tested good.

He replaced the starter, and the car has started flawlessly for the last 2 years.
 
Getting the Valuecrap aka Valuecraft starter was your first mistake! Stay as far away from those as possible - a used junkyard one would be 10x better. Autozone's machines do test a voltage reading, but with starters, they do not always have the ability to tell whether the driver gear is going fast enough, or if any internal components are damaged. Furthermore, their machines don't put out anywhere near the same voltage as a car would. Bring it back and have them test a Duralast starter right before the Valuecraft. You should see a difference in the speed that the driver gear extends out, as well as a sound difference. If there doesn't seem to be any difference, go for the ignition switch.
 
If your hearing a "whirring" sound, the bendix is shooting out but not engaging the flex plate. this means the bendix is bent or your flex plate is missing teeth and not allowing the bendix to engage. I would start by removing the starter, looking at the plate, then returning the starter.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies! Turned out to be the starter. I agree with rzb01intrigue. The starter was still under warranty so I just went to another autozone and swapped it for a new one. Got home and replaced it in 10 minutes or so and eureka it starts with no issues! Silly autozone....
 
also to add some more info, the flywheel teeth looked perfectly fine. No chips or odd wearing at all.
 
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