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Starter works on bench, does not in car, why?

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YOUR RESEARCHStarter works on bench, does not in car, why?

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Test just fine

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
1) tested just fine on the bench: connects 12V to big terminal, Ground to body of starter, jump 12 volts to small terminal (Ignition) and bendix gear jumps out, and starter spins.
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Starter works on bench, does not in car, why?

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Leading evidence: 'Test just fine' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Test just fine' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.

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Test just fine

No successful repair reported for this finding.

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Reported fixes: 0
Unsuccessful attempts: 1
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome: 1

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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
1) tested just fine on the bench: connects 12V to big terminal, Ground to body of starter, jump 12 volts to small terminal (Ignition) and bendix gear jumps out, and starter spins.
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Starter works on bench, does not in car, why?

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POST 1 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

I have a 996 starter that ... 1) tested just fine on the bench: connects 12V to big terminal, Ground to body of starter, jump 12 volts to small terminal (Ignition) and bendix gear jumps out, and starter spins. 2) Install it in the engine sitting outside the car, connect 12V to large terminal, ground to body of engine at the starter, connect 12V to the small terminal: Starter motor does spin but the engine does not spin because the bendix gear does not engage with ring gear. So, I cannot perform a compression test. Why? Same battery, same jumper cable.

POST 2Original post

Guessing...it takes a lot of amps to spin the bendix out to engage. Are you sure the battery you are using is good enough? Maybe try a jump from a running working car? Could try a couple of other ground points.

POST 3Original post

You have a bad Bendix...The one-way clutch is slipping.. On that style Bosche starter the electric motor will not spin untill the Bendix has fully extended, thats where the contacts in the solenoid connect... The Bendix has a one-way clutch that prevents over-speed when the engine starts/revs.....but if the one-way clutch slips in both directions it cannot turn the engine...

POST 4 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

Quotes source post: 20136789

So a new solenoid will have a new bendix gear?

POST 5Original post

Quotes source post: 20136830

No, the Bendix is a separate part from the Solenoid ( if even available ) It used to common practice to rebuild starters and alternators ect.....but this is no longer the case as the individual parts are not easily available, only complete units... One more thing...on these new Bosche Starters , the bolts are Loctited in and are a PITA to get out ....lol Best bet is to just get a new Starter....

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