Starter spins but does not engage flywheel

[Dougryan]

Hi. This is for a Cub Cadet 3206 garden tractor, but I believe the issue can be generalized.
At the end of last season I was not able to get my Cub started. It was running fine a week before, but I went to start it for a final mow and it wouldn't start.

I could hear the starter spinning, but it was not engaging the flywheel.
I tested the battery and it seemed fine, but I put a booster on it and tried again anyway. No luck.
Figured the starter or solenoid was shot and bought a new one. They come as a unit.

Replaced the starter and got the same result.

What could be the issue?
Thanks.

 

[the old grind]

A friend had removed his battery and when reconnecting it he mixed up the cables. They were both black welding cable replacements and he'd reversed them. It was a riding mower with the deck in front and a tail wheel under the seat.

Of course the starter spun fine, just backward. Can't be sure the PO hadn't made the same mistake & it was why he gave the machine away.

 

[WranglerX]

Had similar problem on one of my JD lawn tractors, if it has B&S engine the plastic "bendix" drive on starter may be "gone"....

 

[Btown]

Can be several reasons. Most likely the starter gear is not moving foreward and engaging. Other reasons could be stripped teeth on the starter or the motor side. Try tapping the starter with a hammer while turning it over

 

[oldnslo]

Since both starters are doing the same thing Remove the starter and look at the ring gear teeth on the flywheel. Some B&S models had a replaceable plastic ring gear assembly. If the teeth are gone starter will spin all day and not turn the engine over.

 

[RustyA]

Had a neighbor with a Polaris ATV with similar problem. After two batteries plus a new starter I reversed his battery cables and instantly the starter bendix engaged. It was running backwards and could not activate starter drive in reverse.

 

[Tx Jim]

My guess is starter gear or flywheel ring gear or starter gear AKA Bendix has flailed IF solenoid is actually shifting starter gear to engage FW starter ring gear.