# New starter's pinion gear doesn't engage flywheel - Huh? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 21, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550 "2014-06-21T03:08:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550/21 "2014-06-21T20:29:46Z")
I had this same problem with a Tempo, starter spun, no crank. Took it off and pinion would correctly turn only one way. Pinion slid out easily. Lubed up and reinstalled…same problem! New starter…problem solved. I concluded the one-way clutch in the Bendix had failed, but I sure couldn’t replicate it on the bench. ---
**Author:** ![bcompton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@bcompton](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bcompton)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550/22 "2014-06-21T23:51:43Z")
Ok, all fixed. Turns out it was improper installation. (Good call Mountainbike and Barkydog.) I pulled it out, inspected everything and all looked fine. Figured by now I’m getting so I can install it a little quicker (practicing standing on your head helps), so why not just try again. This time I was more careful to be sure it was seated flat. Best theory is that, although it _looked_ flat against the bell housing, it wasn’t and although the bolts were tight, the starter was crooked. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions!! ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550/23 "2014-06-22T01:38:04Z")
@bcompton‌ You are the man! ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550/24 "2014-06-22T02:12:17Z")
Sincere congratulations and sincere thanks for the follow up post. It’s great to hear a happy ending. Happy motoring, TSM ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550/25 "2014-06-22T03:26:45Z")
Starter motors – by the nature of what they do, engaging the flywheel teeth – are located in probably the most inaccessible location in the whole engine compartment. I know for a fact you aren’t the first DIY’er that got one installed a little cockeye. The first install of a starter motor for me, it wouldn’t fit, and discovered I was trying to install it upside down! Later on I discovered on my Corolla there’s a sort of indented circle where it fits, and I now make sure before bolting anything that the starter motor housing will rotate +/- 10 degrees freely, flat against that surface inside the circle. That way I know it is seated properly. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-starters-pinion-gear-doesnt-engage-flywheel-huh/85550.md?page=1)