Starter spins but does not engage

2003 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE
238,000 MILES • 3.0L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JOHN TOMADAKIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
With the key off, if I connect the battery terminals up. The starter spins. Not engages but spins until I disconnect the battery. Why does it do this?
Dec 20, 2019 at 4:21 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 18,907 POSTS
Just so I understand, when you hook the battery up, the starter starts spinning with no key input? Meaning you are not turning the key and it spins but doesn't engage the flexplate to spin the engine?

If this is the case, we need to suspect the ignition switch is stuck to the start position or the relay has failed applying power all the time. However, the starter gear may be stripped as well because if the starter is spinning it should be engaging the engine.

Try swapping the relay and seeing if that makes a difference. If it is not coming on any more you still may need to replace the starter but first things first.
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Dec 20, 2019 at 7:14 PM