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View Full Version : Starter won't engage flywheel


Thicc.s13
08-03-2020, 08:17 PM
Ka24e freshly rebuilt and dropped in won't crank, the starter just spins and sounds like an rc car when I turn the key. I've tried just about everything including new battery, new starter, checked all grounds, new blue starter relay, cleaned all connections. Solenoid reads about 6 volts and I read it should be 12v, so I believe its an issue with that but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. I also tested the old starter (after buying the new one bc I'm an idiot) and it worked fine, so that rules out the starter I would think.
Edit: tried hooking the little plug connected to the solenoid straight to the battery and it just makes the starter spin like it was before. Could this mean its bypassing the solenoid somehow?

UPDATE: I was able to make the starter solenoid "engage" by wiring it straight to the battery, but not spin at the same time. When I go to turn over the car I can hear it engage at least partly but it seems to not go all the way or something.

Other info: Headlights also stopped working, they're hooked straight to the battery with a fuse (intact) and switch in between. The car has a fuel pump kill switch in between the fuel pump and ignition switch, not sure if this would change anything.

zombiewolf513
08-03-2020, 08:32 PM
Is the engine spinning or just the starter

Thicc.s13
08-03-2020, 08:38 PM
What would this trick be? I replaced the relay and still no result.

zombiewolf513
08-03-2020, 08:39 PM
my bad, i misread the hell out of your post. Is the engine spinning too or just the starter?

Thicc.s13
08-03-2020, 08:41 PM
Nope just the starter lol. The starter won't engage the flywheel so it just spins freely

zombiewolf513
08-03-2020, 08:41 PM
and when you popped it straight to the battery it worked fine?

zombiewolf513
08-03-2020, 08:47 PM
What would this trick be? I replaced the relay and still no result.

Check this out:
I chased this exact problem for 14 years. Replaced everything, car was auto converted to manual so there is no starter interlock relay. Ignition switch helped but still did it all the time. I work for Wiring Specialties so believe me I searched, replaced, tested, checked grounds - all of it. Nothing helped.

Finally, I completely bypassed the OEM wiring and added a simple START button right in the cigarette lighter hole. Triggers a heavy duty relay under the hood connected to the start tab and it always cranks every single time now. Button is Ignition powered (lighter wiring) & I had to run 1 wire up to the relay.

Most stubborn S13 problem ever.

DONE

Thicc.s13
08-03-2020, 09:30 PM
Okay stupid question... Is it possible to install the flywheel backwards and still have everything "fit together"? Got starter solenoid to work but still wont touch the flywheel.

zombiewolf513
08-03-2020, 09:46 PM
No, theres locating pins for the clutch cover sticking out away from the engine.

S14rebuild
08-04-2020, 03:01 PM
Ur sayn flywheel.....just wanna confirm this is a manual transmission

Thicc.s13
08-04-2020, 08:03 PM
Yup 5 speed

Thicc.s13
08-04-2020, 08:36 PM
So I just pulled everything apart to find that the back of the crankshaft that bolts up to the flywheel is thicker on the new crank by about a centimeter. Other than that its exactly the same. Looks like i solved my own problem with another problem. Just out of curiosity, anybody know what this crank might be out of? Is the 4wd ka24e different than the 2wd?

zombiewolf513
08-04-2020, 08:47 PM
You pulled the motor out and apart? How did you take that measurement? Can you put the other crank back in?