I just finished changing the clutch, and I'm having starter issues. When I engage the clutch and press the Start button, the starter spins but the solenoid does not engage. The starter spins until I release the clutch.

The car has been sitting for a few months, so I'm jump starting it from my Wrangler, which has a powerful battery. When they're connected with no load, the OBDII on the Mini shows 13.5 volts; when I engage the starter, it drops to 11.5 volts.

I guess my question is, is this likely a coincidental failure of the starter? Or could it be related to the battery? Electrical is the system I know the least about, and I don't want to pull the subframe back off and buy a new starter if I don't need to.

ETA: The issue is resolved, the car is starting fine now, but I'm not certain why. I removed the starter to bench test it, and noticed nothing out of the ordinary - the starter was mounted properly, all three bolts were securely tightened. I bench tested the starter, and it behaved as expected - the solenoid kicked the gear out on the first try. I then put the starter back in exactly as it had been and the car started first try, and has been starting fine since.

 

Start by checking, cleaning, and tightening the engine ground connection. You could also try to bypass the engine ground by connecting a jumper cable to the block and (-) battery connector.

You can also try tapping the starter gently with a hammer.

 

Thanks for your reply. I just checked the ground voltage at various points on the block and the body, and there were no drops. Also tried the hammer test, no luck. (Brought me back to the good old days of the late eighties, when I had to keep a hammer in my '73 sedan DeVille until I'd saved up for a new starter.) 😅

 

Did your clutch job require removal of the starter?

 

Yes, in order to remove the bell housing to replace the pressure plate, clutch plate, and flywheel. Saw nothing out of the ordinary, and it's firmly bolted in place.

 

It sounds like the starter Bendix cannot move forward to engage the flywheel. This is potentially a starter issue if the starter is correctly aligned and installed.

 

I just pulled the starter and bench tested it, and it's working as expected. When I it pulled out, all three bolts were fastened securely, everything was straight, nothing out of the ordinary. I guess I'll put it back in and give it another try.

 

Good luck. I hope it works in the car after the bench test.

 

Well, I have zero idea why, but it's working now. 😅 Thanks for your guidance!