Need help on starter problem

[jaime deal]

Any ideas on a starter problem that I have been having?

'85 Ply Voyager Van, 5speed manual, 2.2 engine.

When you turn the key the starter whines (spins), but does not engage. It happens about one out of every three starts. Once it happens, it keeps happening until you either, turn the key completly off and wait a moment, rock the van (doesn't matter if it is in gear or not), or pump the clutch a couple of times. The other times, the van starts fine.

No maintenance was done on the van in the 6 months prior to the problem starting. It happens both when the engine is hot or cold. I do not hear the starter hitting the flywheel. I have replaced the starter. Both the old and new starter bench tested fine. Remounted the starter four times. Replaced the ring gear on the flywheel. Replaced both the + and - battery cables. Replaced the battery. Installed a Ford starter relay to bypass any chance of corrosion in the ignition switch/soleniod wiring.

Thanks

[caddyman379]

im assumming when you say it doesnt engage you mean you can hear the starter spin but doesn't turn the crank?

i'd try replacing the starter, or just buying a cheap used one to see if that is the problem because i've had probs like this before and a new starter pretty much solved it. OR, try remounting it again, its either a bad starter or improperly mounted.

[hossierrun]

I agree. The starter drive (selenoid) is not kicking the starter gear into the flywheel (or driveplate). See if you can get a rebuilt one and change it out. Not a fun job on an old 2.2 engine, because it is buried in the back.