# Car problem: Sticking Starter **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 26, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877 "2008-07-26T22:44:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/1 "2008-07-26T22:44:58Z")
During hot spells, I have found that when I start the engine at the hottest time of day the starter doesn’t shut off right away when the engine starts. I have to shut the key off a few times before I can get the starter to function normally. Is the heat causing the engaging gear to stick? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/2 "2008-07-28T16:52:05Z")
First request would be make, model, and year, so the full time motorheads can see if there’s a known problem. Absent that information, I’ll hazard a WAG that the Bendix drive is hanging up. Whether that is a DIY repair depends on many things, but starts with the info up top. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/3 "2008-07-28T17:32:42Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] First request would be make, model, and year, so the full time motorheads can see if there’s a known problem. Absent that information, I’ll hazard a WAG that the Bendix drive is hanging up. Whether that is a DIY repair depends on many things, but starts with the info up top. 😉 [/QUOTE] Maybe there’s a frog in the Bendix. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/4 "2008-07-29T00:50:42Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] First request would be make, model, and year, so the full time motorheads can see if there’s a known problem. Absent that information, I’ll hazard a WAG that the Bendix drive is hanging up. Whether that is a DIY repair depends on many things, but starts with the info up top. 😉 [/QUOTE] It’s a 1984 Ford T-Bird, V-6 engine. (Engine replaced June 2001; all major components of ignition system replaced in last 2 years.) ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/5 "2008-07-29T14:37:29Z")
Thanks. That should help **Gary T** or **Rick** with a more precise answer. I’ll stick with my original WAG and suggest that you call Pep Boys or another auto parts chain to see if the Bendix is available as a separate part. It may not be, in which case you’ll have to either drop a whole new starter into the car, or take your existing starter to a starter/alternator rebuild shop (assuming you can locate one). ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/6 "2008-07-29T15:10:48Z")
From the description of the symptom, it’s a pretty safe bet that something is warping or swelling from heat. That something is not necessarily the starter drive (Bendix) - it might be related to the armature shaft or its bushings. I think the wisest course would be to replace the starter as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/7 "2008-07-29T16:12:10Z")
I’ll add that the replacement starter should be properly shimmed. (rule of thumb, there’s a paper-clip’s worth of gap between the flexplate and drive gear when extended.) A good replacement starter will have a shimkit. Remanufactureed starters will often be machined to remove warpage of the case and the shim kit permits proper function. You do NOT want it to tear up your flexplate/flywheel. Considering that part is pretty much dead-center in your car, it’s a PITA to replace. Ask me how I know. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/8 "2008-07-29T16:44:27Z")
[QUOTE=Unintentionally Blank] I’ll add that the replacement starter should be properly shimmed…A good replacement starter will have a shimkit. [/QUOTE] Only if it’s a GM starter that actually uses shims. The great majority of cars don’t. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/9 "2008-07-29T17:27:40Z")
[QUOTE=Gary T] I think the wisest course would be to replace the starter as a whole. [/QUOTE] How many starters are being built that a driveway mechanic can readily break down the starter and replace just the bendix and/or solenoid? (Not to mention availability of sub-parts at the neighborhood parts store.) As one data point, the shop manual for my Dodge Ram says “All of these starter motors are serviced only as a unit with their starter solenoids, and cannot be repaired. If either component is faulty or damaged, the entire starter motor and starter solenoid unit must be replaced.” I also strongly advise replacing the entire unit or having it rebuilt. Car parts seem to be designed with pretty well-matched life expectencies. If you tear down the starter and replace the solenoid, the starter motor itself will fail two weeks later, just to annoy you. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/10 "2008-07-29T17:48:13Z")
[QUOTE=gotpasswords] How many starters are being built that a driveway mechanic can readily break down the starter and replace just the bendix and/or solenoid? (Not to mention availability of sub-parts at the neighborhood parts store.) [/QUOTE] The last starter which I remember rebuilding was in a 70’s something Chrysler belonging to a buddy. The engine was either a 170 or 225 slant six, but sufficient space existed to remove the starter from over the fender. We spread out newspapers and put in a new Bendix and solenoid on his kitchen table. His wife came home before we were done, and was displeased at the sight. IIRC, the cost difference between a Bendix and the reman starter for my 85 Ford was so small, I went with the reman unit. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2008, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-problem-sticking-starter/457877/11 "2008-07-31T05:49:20Z")
Thanx