The starter was hit with a wrench and turned over for a second now car wont start why?

Answer 1

It is very likely that you have a stuck starter solenoid. That's the part that moves the starter's worm gear forward, so as to engage with the flywheel, so that the starter motor can turn your engine over and start it up. Once the engine starts, and you release the ignition key, the worm gear retracts back into the solenoid until it is needed again. Over the course of time, these solenoids become sticky, and refuse to move forward and engage the flywheel. Fortunately, there is an easy test for this problem, and it has never failed me. goes as follows;

Set the emergency brake, and put the tranny in neutral. If it's an automatic, put it in Park. Either way, chock the wheels. This is very important . You'll see why a little latter.

Crawl under neath the car with a responsible adult at the wheel.

use a heavy wrench, such as a large adjustable.

Have your helper sit in the car, holding the ignition key all the way over , in the start position.

From underneath the car, use your big wrench and bang on the solenoid. (It's the smaller part that is attached to the side of the starter motor.) Ya don't wanna dent it, Just give it some good whacks. This alone just might free up the piston on the inside of the solenoid, and at that point, your engine just might start. If not, then start to bang on the starter itself, and I mean give er a bunch of pretty good wacks ! I know sounds entirely like a cave man tactic, but it works. Keep in mind that your partner is still holding the key over, so if you smell anything burning, or see smoke, tell your partner to release the key, then wait a while and then try it again. You might wanna give it a rest every five minutes or so, to let things cool down. I once spent all but 20 minutes under a car before she finally fired up. Your partner should understand that if the motor begins to turn over, he or she should not let off of the key until the vehicle actually starts, and if it does, don't shut it off until you go out and buy a new starter motor. ( In the old days we could just buy the solenoid, but no more. You'll need to buy a new starter with the solenoid already attached. Leave the car running at the auto parts store, and be careful to not stall the engine on the way home.

At that point, things will be easier. Disconnect the battery. Unbolt the starter, and drop it to the ground, but save it, because you might be able to get money for it at the auto parts store. (Called a "core exchange") Bolt the new starter in, reconnect the wires, and then reconnect the battery. Problem should be solved. Or, you could just park on a hill where ever you go.. :) It it was me, I'd get a hew starter.