OK has anyone heard of this with the passlock system, I bought a 1999 Alero, the car was used 152,000 miles. It has already had the intake gaskets replaced and the owner said it needed a starter, it would just spin without engaging. I got a new starter from ebay, put it in ran fine, drove the car to work stopped 5 times on the way, shut off car each time started back up each time. Went to leave at end of day would turn over, sputter, backfire then starter would only spin not engage. I towed car home took out starter put jumper cables on it and it worked spins and engaged, checked old starter it worked to. I put it back in car but it only spins, put old one in and it spins. I tried the waiting thing, 5 tries security light went out still spins. Any help on this? New batteryalso.

 

I would inspect the flex plate. The starter maybe ingaging but if the teeth are stripped off the flex plate the starter will just spin.

 

I checked the flywheel, no worn or chipped teeth not bent, seems fine. With the starter outside of car put battery cables on starter it engages and spins, put in car just spins. I was just out trying other thingsand put car charger battery charger 200 amp still spins. put positive cable from charger directly to starter just spins, (thought maybe bad cable losing amps) 875 cranking amp battery. Both new and old starter tried outside of car works, but not when you put it in the car.

 

Thats strange. I wonder if it has something to do with the solenoid.

Edit: How do the teeth look on the starter gear?

 

Now that I think about it, check your cables for corrosion. Make sure your grounds are good and corrosion free. It really sounds more like an electrical problem, not a mechanical one.

 

The teeth on starter are fine, new starter with 50 miles on it. Old starter looked new like they had just replaced it and couldnt figure out what was wrong either so they sold car. Lucky me

 

OK, today took starter in-out 4 times. each time put it back in just spins, left the wires connected took out and was laying againist crossmember hit key spun and bendix went out to engauge? I checked wires for corrision all seems fine. Was checking to make sure teeth on starter were making contact with flywheel, but only two bolts to put it in. I dont think it could be that far out if both line up. Gave up for today. I guess I will try tomorrow to turn engine by crankshaft to see if a different position on flywheel might make contact.

 

That sucks man. I wish I knew the answer but I have never heard of anything like your problem. When you figure it out let us know.