51 Plymouth Cranbrook - starter engaging but then just spinning

Hey Fellas – recently picked up 51 Plymouth Cranbrook… This is my first car – admittedly wet behind the ears but I’m hoping to learn as much as I can as I go.

Question for the board. I turn the key and the starter motor is engaging - it turns the engine a couple of times but then just spins... then when i try it again it's the same thing. Then on about the third try it starts the car.

so I hear the engine turning - car doesn't start - and then just the sounds of the starter motor spinning and then winding down.

I humbly throw myself to the mercy of the forum… I’m a BRAND newbie so I apologize in advance if any of my questions come out stupid or have painfully obvious answers.

Any input would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

there are several reasons why it's doing this
1.weak battery.
2.battery terminals need cleaning.
3.battery cables need replacing.
4.contacts inside solenoid are dirty,clean or replace.
5.extremely unlikely,the bendix is broken.

 

if you are 12 volt and on a6 volt starter you can blow the bendix up i did it a lot till i had my starter guy change my starter to 12 volt so dont rule out the bendix right away

 

I'm still 6volt that wouldn't have caused it although I guess that still doesn't rule out a bendix issue... can anyone recommend the best way to trouble shoot this? Where should I start?

 

Install a new bendix, the clutch in the Bendix is shot.

 

What Ice man said.

Good luck