Are the starters all the same for all three engine models or is there a difference?

Tiny
KIMBERLY 87
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
I have the car listed above SS model. My starter went out, so I called the parts store and ordered one. At that time, I was told by a friend my car has a 2.0 L so I order a starter for that size engine. Get home put it on and when I turn it over the starter will spin but don't kick out and engage to start. I looked up the van online and it said I had a 2.4. So, I called the parts store he told me to bring it back and at that time I told him that I did not have a 2.0 l that my car actually had a 2.4 and he told me that the 2.0, 2.2 and the 2.4 starters were all the same. After two more starters the last one being brand new is still doing the same thing. It will spin over but it's not kicking out to engage and start. So, my question is, are the starters all the same for all three engine models or is there a difference? I know they only made the SS's with 2.4 for only a few years. And if they are the same then what could be making my car not start after all of the starters, I put on do the exact same thing?
Saturday, January 28th, 2023 AT 2:47 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,125 POSTS
Hi,

That is correct. Each of the three engines used on this vehicle had the same starter. If it is engaging and spinning, the starter is working. If it doesn't engage with the flywheel, either the Bendix isn't forcing the gear out to engage (which is unlikely at this point) or the starter isn't fully seated.

Do me a favor. Take a look through the attached directions below to see if there is anything you may have missed.

Also, remove the starter and have it bench tested at the parts store to confirm the Bendix is kicking the gear outward into position.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, January 29th, 2023 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
KIMBERLY 87
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
When the starter is on my car it will spin but it will not kick out. I've taken it off the car and bench tested it, and the Bendix does kick out. Could it be that it's not getting enough power or something? And the reason I ask that is because when the first starter was going out, the last time I got it to crank by turning the key I drove it to Walmart (about 3 miles one way) and back. Well on the way back I had a message on my dash basically saying loss of power (can't remember the exact words it said) and I could tell the dash lights were getting really dim about a half a mile from my house I lost power steering and just barely made it in the yard before it just died. And it's cranked one other time since then and that's with the new starter I got on it now. And it was the very first time I tried it after getting it on, but I had a battery charger connected to my battery when I tried it. But it didn't crank right away. When I first turned it over the starter spun and after a second or two then it caught and cranked. But that was the last time. I've been pushing it off but it's very aggravating when I got a brand-new starter and still won't crank.
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
KIMBERLY 87
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
When they say engine harness terminal, I'm assuming they are talking about the small wire that is on the bolt by itself right?
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,125 POSTS
In this case, it appears they are referring to one wire.

As far as everything you mentioned, have you had the battery load tested?

Joe
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
KIMBERLY 87
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
We already swapped the battery.
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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 8:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,125 POSTS
Hi,

There are only so many reasons why the starter won't engage. A weak battery, a faulty Bendix, a faulty solenoid, or it isn't reaching the flywheel.

If you tested the starter off the vehicle and the Bendix kicks out, it should be working when on the vehicle. If you very carefully remove the starter motor from the engine and make sure not to allow the terminals to touch anything, does the Bendix kick out?

If it does, make sure there are no shims preventing you from fully seating the starter.

If there is nothing preventing it from fully seating, the last thing to check is the flywheel to make sure it isn't damaged and missing teeth for the starter to engage with.

Let me know. Also, just for the heck of it, turn the engine a bit by hand and see if it engages or makes a different noise. If it is the flywheel, you may move it into a position that allows the starter to engage.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 AT 1:21 PM

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