Starter Bendix issues

[Heepofajeep]

I have a 1989 xj with an auto and 4.0.

I recently pulled the starter due to the bendix not engaging, but the bendix seems to move back and forth just fine with the aid of a screw driver. I have the starter in a vice right now, so I can definitely see the motor working but NOT The bendix.

So what else is there to go wrong to not make the bendix engage?

I noticed there is a 'plate' behind the bendix gear, that appears to be fixed to the back of the gear, is this supposed to move with the bendix [it does, but maybe it is not supposed to?]

Anyway, Thank you very much for any help you can offer!!!

 

[5-90]

Ah. Sounds like a blown solenoid.

Try this - take a pair of jumper cables, connect the black (negative) lead to the start motor case, and touch the red (positive) cable to the SMALL screw terminal for just a moment.

The starter should kick out, but not spin. If that doesn't happen, it's the solenoid gone bad.

5-90

 

[wilcharl]

time for a quality reman... make sure it doesnt come from autozoo or pepboys etc... I got a BeckArnley that I overpaid for but it has been issue free. Maybe get one from 5-90s electrical guy if you have time...

It just really bothers me the crap auto chains put out as "lifetime reman" and u spend your whole life replacing them

 

[Matthew Currie]

Try 5-90's test first. If it kicks out, the solenoid is all right, but remember the Bendix is a one-way clutch. It can kick out and seem to work fine on the bench but if it's worn out inside it will fail to turn the flywheel, at least intermittently, even if it seems all right when you test it by hand.

 

[serge]

time for a quality reman... make sure it doesnt come from autozoo or pepboys etc...

I will have to disagree on AutoZone. I've got a A1/Cardone-reman'ed unit for $99 there. Best starter I've had in my '89 XJ. It also has a distributor ($90) and ECU ($110) rebuilt by Cardone as well. The Jeep never ran so well. AND they all come with life-time warranty, except for ECU (3 month). I highly recommend A1/Cardone-rebuilt components.

Heck, what other place will special-order an electronic component for you and take it back giving you full credit (all you have to do is say it didn't work)?

 

[wilcharl]

Is the "Zoo" selling cardone remanned alternators and starters? I think cardone makes a great reman product (they supply napa and carquest along wtih most hte ma and pas) but they just got in the electrics business when my alternator craps out i think i wll get 5-90s boyz to give me what i need though

 

[Heepofajeep]

Well, the bendix definetely engaged when running the above test... Which leads to to believe that I am hooking up the starter wrong. This might sound stupid, but what would be the best way to bench test the starter? (I am wondering what pieces of the solenoid to hook up?

Thanks!!!

 

[Matthew Currie]

Well, the bendix definetely engaged when running the above test... Which leads to to believe that I am hooking up the starter wrong. This might sound stupid, but what would be the best way to bench test the starter? (I am wondering what pieces of the solenoid to hook up?

Thanks!!!

Without a load on it, the bendix will kick out and turn, but it might still not be able to turn the flywheel. A starter will rotate the same way no matter which way you hook it up. If the bendix is kicking out and the starter is turning, you've tested it as far as you can on the bench, I think, and determined that the starter is all right and the solenoid is working.

If you want to bench test it, hook negative to the body of the starter, positive to the main battery cable terminal, and use a remote starter switch or a jumper wire to connect positive to the other small terminal on the solenoid, to which the starter switch connects. If you're doing it on the floor, put your foot on the starter, because it will jerk pretty hard and try to roll away.

 

[HWY H8R]

Take the starter to pep boys and they will load test it for free and tell you if it is bad.

 

[churky89]

I had an issue last summer..hit the key...nada...so I figgered can't hear nothin...ignition switch...get new switch RnR in Wally World parkinlot...get switch in..turn key...nada...so had daughter turn key while I was under the JEEP...starter is tryin to jump to the right...get flashlight damn bolts are almost all the way out....take it to AZ and while they were checkin it we noticed that the solinoid was also tryin to jump to the right....all was well though..starter was LTW so I got a new one....I also put lockwashers on the bolts....and check em ever now and then to be sure

 

[badge714]

If starter engages flywheel ,bendex turns, but doesn't turn flywheel, bendex is bad. If you have starter out, with your hand try turning bendex it should turn only 1 way. If it turns both ways it it bad. badge714

 

[carnuck]

There is a one way clutch inside the Bendix. When it wears out, the center shaft will turn, the gear will engage the flywheel, but the rollers won't grab and engage the gear to the spinning shaft. (I used to Work for Wilson electric doing starter and alternator rebuilds in the '80s)