Starter only engaging sometimes..

[CobraV8]

I had the same problem with a brand new Ford mini starter. Turned out the sprague clutch allowed the starter gear to be freewheeling in every direction now and then. I would try with a different starter.

Simon

[Ron61]

I had basically the same thing happen to my daily driver. I went into the store and came back out and the starter would spin but not engage.Then when it did engage it would barely turn the engine over. Checked all wires and everything was ok, but when I had the starter checked it was bad. Replaced starter and no more problems.

Ron