I've been a member for a while, but haven't posted much. I'm working on an automatic 2004 for a friend. The starter was on its way out, so I replaced it with an Auto Zone reman, and it won't disengage after the engine starts. I've tried two of them now with the same results. Is it just bad luck I'm having with Auto Zone parts, or am I doing something wrong?

 

Anyone? I've tried three reman starters now, all of them had the same issue. They won't disengage after starting, so they drag the teeth on the flex plate.

 

There is no way to really screw up a starter install and remans have been known to fail but two in a row is very unlikely.

 

I would take out the starter and look through the opening. Make sure everything is ok down there.

You may not have purchased the correct starter or there might be an electrical problem somewhere. It's been a while since I had to deal with it, but after you take your hands of the key, the circuit which causes the starter wheel to jut out and turn the fly wheel retracts, so I would examine it and make sure everything's ok.

You can test the starter. There's videos on YT. Otherwise, I would think it's a problem with the starter circuit which from what I remember is pretty simple.

 

Starter circuit checks out fine. I even disconnected the ground from the starter with the engine running and it still didn't disengage.

Today I tried a Denso starter from Rockauto. Same issue, but it doesn't drag the flex plate teeth as bad as the Auto Zone units did.

 

I have a 2005 mazda shinka automatic transmission and i need to upgraded the starter motor is it possible for me to added a Manual transmission stater to my car ?