sharnell

It's as if my starter is spinning, but not connected to my motor. I took the key out of the ignition and it's still going. Again, the motor is not turning over, but I hear this electrical motor spinning (and whining) constantly. So, I ran and got my tool box and disconnected the battery. No I can't lock my car doors.

Any ideas? I'm thinking bad starter, but how would it not spin the motor?

The car does have 96K on the clock.

Thanks in advanced for you input.

Wikkid911

Sharnell,

I had the exact same thing happen a few years back. It was diagnosed as the starter motor.

Andy Roe

Yep! Bad starter. It sounds as though the Solenoid has failed/stuck. When you turn your key, the current activates a solenoid which throws a gear/shaft out to engage ring gear on the flywheel & thus turns the engine over. If this fails, the the starter motor will just spin on it's own.

Andy

Andy Roe

Hmm, not sure why the starter would continue spinning when you've turned the ignition off though!!

andrew964

Mine does something similar when its hot (but never from cold)

R6XTERRA

tap the starter a few times with a hammer when someone is turning the car over. The gear shaft should come free. "If accessible".

Please no flames...it does work.

R6XTERRA

and yes that seems weird.

sharnell

Anyone out there know why the starter would still spin after the ignition is turned off?

SharkSkin

The contacts in the solenoid could be sticking, which means they stay connected. tapping on the starter should free it. Don't dent the thing, just give it a solid thunk. If it disengages as a result of tapping on it that's not going to mean you don't have to replace it. But maybe you can lock your doors.

Jim Howley

Dave,

You can still lock your doors by locking the drivers door from the inside and locking the passenger door before cloing it.

Andy Roe

Perhaps a faulty ignition switch - did you get power to any other stuff?

SharkSkin

Hey, my central locking system works with no battery... I was responding to Steve's statement that he couldn't lock his doors.