Whirring noise when trying to start the car

[dxh]

Just went to drive the car (E86 3.0si), turned the key, met with nothing but a whirring noise from the front of the car. Haven’t scanned it yet but any guesses what it might be(starter motor seems an obvious one)? It did this at the weekend as well but it did start then. Nothing today.

 

[MikeyH]

My guess would also be the starter motor but others with more know how will be here soon.

 

[deltasierra]

Starter is turning but not engaging flywheel

 

[Pondrew]

"Dodgy solenoid"?

 

[dxh]

Starter is turning but not engaging flywheel

Dodgy solenoid

Solenoid being the thing that makes the starter motor engages the flywheel? Is this something I can easily check myself?

 

[MikeyH]

Might be the spring that engages the starter broken broken or gummed up so can't slide easily.

 

[patriot66]

Sounds like the Bendix gear on the starter motor shaft isn't engaging when the starter is activated. Try a few light taps with a hammer on the body of the starter motor, sometimes frees it off. However, be prepared to fit a new one

 

[dxh]

Thanks all, I’ll have a pop with a hammer tomorrow

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks all, I’ll have a pop with a hammer tomorrow

That'll be a temporary solution I reckon.
If you tap it and it works then have a new starter on standby as it'll probably happen again.

The initial signal to the starter goes to the solenoid through the thin wire. This operates to push the pinion gear along the shaft to engage the flywheel. Once it is 'pre-engaged' then a big fat voltage comes through the thick red wire and spins the starter.
So it sounds to me as though the solenoid is doing its job but the pinion gear is not quite making it the last few mm to engage to flywheel.

The only other possible problem would be a missing tooth on the flywheel. If by faint chance the engine stops at that point then the pinion will be spinning in a gap. Only way to check that is to put it in gear and roll it forward a little to move the flywheel round. Not possible on an auto obviously.