MTD starter ingages but wont turn motor

If the starter spins when the key is turned to start the starter relay is good . Or do you mean the starter solenoid ? then again , if the starter spins ,the solenoid is good also. Do you know how a starter works ? Could be the bendix . Do you know what a bendix is ? If the bendix isn't kicking the pinion gear into the flywheel or flex plate , the bendix is bad . Or isn't the pinion gear contacting or meshing with the flywheel . Do you know how to check these thing's ,or could need to be shimmed .

There is a gear set, acts like the bedix sping on an automotive starter, that connects the starter and flywheel. This gear set could be froze or the starter out of alignment.

You say your starter is kicking in..is it spinning and not turning the engine over? If so you have a problem with the flywheel teeth or starter gears not engaging..if no spin just a click..your battery is to weak to turn engine or you starter selonoid or starter needs replaced...good luck..

Usually if the starter spins but does not engage the flywheel, the problem is the flywheel or the bendix drive in the starter. The starter gear is supposed to extend to meet the flywheel when the starter spins.

Your starter has a solenoid that throws the gear on the starter motor into the flywheel to turn the motor over.The small gear is either sticking on the starter shaft or the solenoid is not pushing the gear into the flywheel . You will have to take the starter motor off and bench test it to see what the problem is. It is typically cheaper to buy a rebuilt starter at the local auto store and just replace the starter assembly if it has high miles on it. Be sure to bench test your new starter to make sure it is working correctly before installation.

Hello, You will need to install a shim or washer in between the starter and the motor to give the starter a bit more clearance /space between the starter' s solenoid gear and the flywheel's gears. They currently are too close together or meshing too tightly to allow it to retract back into the starter's housing.
Good Luck, Rich

The way the solenoid it designed, the starter gear MUST engage the ring gear in order for the starter to start turning. The plunger inside the solenoid has to go all the way forward in order to make electrical contact to start the motor.

Now, that doesn't mean that the starter gear WILL turn the engine. It sounds like you've got a bad "over running" clutch. When these units go bad, you can hear the starter motor running but the engine is not turning over.

Now, here's the rub on that. If you have the abilitiy to remove the starter, disassemble it, and replace it, you can save yourself some money. If not, you're better off simply replacing the starter.

The part cost about $100 but the time it takes to put it in will quickly eat up any savings you might have by repairing the starter rather than replacing it. Labor rates are high these days.

Good Luck
Steve

Does the starter kick out and spin normally out of the car? Have you checked the condition of the flywheel? Ususally the starter doesnt turn until the solenoid kicks the gear out to engage the flywheel. Check if the gear on the starter is bad, it should slip one way, and not the other.

I can tell u that the starter was put togeather wrong, most likely the wrong started drive was used.