There are probably severable possible reasons, but I can only think of a few at the moment. Some of the reasons include: 1. Misalignment of the starter when installed, which allows the teeth on the starter gear to bind with the the teeth on the flywheel, thus preventing disengagement after the engine starts. 2. A defective starter solenoid, which remains [stuck] in the start/engaged postion. 3. A defective ignition/starter switch in which the circuit providing current to the starter solenoid winding coil does not "open" as it should when the key is released and thus be allowed to return to the "run" position.j3h.
That all depends on if you abuse the starter by cranking too long. I have 170,000 on original starter.
If what you are saying is that the starter spins but won't turn the engine, the starter drive (also called bendix) is broken and must be replaced.
biggest problem with ford starters burning out is caused by a bad battery and prolonged engine turning over if hard to start. if starter has been replaced, your battery may not have correct cranking amps. bare in mind that a hot engine actually takes more cranking amps than a cold engine to start.
The electrical system.
Low battery? starter? starter solenoid? Battery cable loose or dirty? Seized engine? Neutral switch?
There are two SMALL wires on the starter. They are connected wrong.
engine backfire during cranking.
Could be, (assuming the starter is not cranking the engine) a bad starter, dirty or loose battery connections, the engine is seized.
The starter on a 85 Cutlass is replaced by disconnecting the battery, unbolting the starter, disconnecting the wires at the starter, and removing it from the vehicle. The new starter is then wired up and bolted to the engine block.
The starter would still crank the engine but the engine will fail to run.
If the engine is cranking over fast(starter and battery ok) and it just won't start, it could be alot of things If the engine is cranking slowly, it could be the starter, the battery, or the alternator(not charging the battery) check your cables from the battery to the engine and the body... good luck d
The battery might be dead, or your engine might not work. *EDIT* Check your ignition coil, or starter solenoid, instead of saying "your engine might not work". If you take a hammer and tap the starter when somebody else is cranking the vehicle then you need a new starter.