Are the starters all the same for all three engine models or is there a difference?

KIMBERLY 87

MEMBER
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
200,000 MILES

I have the car listed above SS model. My starter went out, so I called the parts store and ordered one. At that time, I was told by a friend my car has a 2.0 L so I order a starter for that size engine. Get home put it on and when I turn it over the starter will spin but don't kick out and engage to start. I looked up the van online and it said I had a 2.4. So, I called the parts store he told me to bring it back and at that time I told him that I did not have a 2.0 l that my car actually had a 2.4 and he told me that the 2.0, 2.2 and the 2.4 starters were all the same. After two more starters the last one being brand new is still doing the same thing. It will spin over but it's not kicking out to engage and start. So, my question is, are the starters all the same for all three engine models or is there a difference? I know they only made the SS's with 2.4 for only a few years. And if they are the same then what could be making my car not start after all of the starters, I put on do the exact same thing?

6 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Hi,

That is correct. Each of the three engines used on this vehicle had the same starter. If it is engaging and spinning, the starter is working. If it doesn't engage with the flywheel, either the Bendix isn't forcing the gear out to engage (which is unlikely at this point) or the starter isn't fully seated.

Do me a favor. Take a look through the attached directions below to see if there is anything you may have missed.

Also, remove the starter and have it bench tested at the parts store to confirm the Bendix is kicking the gear outward into position.

Let me know.

Joe

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Sunday, January 29th, 2023 AT 1:55 PM

KIMBERLY 87

MEMBER
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When the starter is on my car it will spin but it will not kick out. I've taken it off the car and bench tested it, and the Bendix does kick out. Could it be that it's not getting enough power or something? And the reason I ask that is because when the first starter was going out, the last time I got it to crank by turning the key I drove it to Walmart (about 3 miles one way) and back. Well on the way back I had a message on my dash basically saying loss of power (can't remember the exact words it said) and I could tell the dash lights were getting really dim about a half a mile from my house I lost power steering and just barely made it in the yard before it just died. And it's cranked one other time since then and that's with the new starter I got on it now. And it was the very first time I tried it after getting it on, but I had a battery charger connected to my battery when I tried it. But it didn't crank right away. When I first turned it over the starter spun and after a second or two then it caught and cranked. But that was the last time. I've been pushing it off but it's very aggravating when I got a brand-new starter and still won't crank.

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Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 AT 4:24 PM

KIMBERLY 87