I'm having a problem with my 2011 LS 180K Rental Rescue. Quick story: The check engine light came on about 2 months ago. A trip to Auto Zone for a code reading said (if memory serves) something about crankshaft timing? I have moved cross country shortly after that. The car has had no noticeable change in performance, gas mileage or starting up. Ran great up until yesterday. Went to start it up and the starter motor spins up but doesn't engage the flywheel. I know the battery is good, checked fuses and swapped around relays in the fuse box just to make sure. My old school car guy brain said "starter solenoid is bad". So, with only the basic hand tools I was able to bring with me in the move, (all my other tools and testing equipment are in storage 2300 miles away including the paper with the error codes) I Ubered it to the auto parts and bought a starter. (solenoids NOT sold separately) and installed it. Here's the confusing part: No Change !!! Starter spins but solenoid won't engage. I never heard of a car's computer brain telling the starter motor ok to run and not engaging the solenoid. It's normally a turn the key and nothing happens thing. Hence, I'm confused. I have limited tools, no access to testing equipment, limited funds, a broken leg, no friends or relatives within 1200 miles and having to call Uber for transportation. So, any ideas, work-arounds or suggestions? I'd like to at least get it started so i can get it to a shop for repair. Tow trucks are very expensive here.

 

My guess is the starter is working correctly. I would be looking at the possibility of a broken timing chain or maybe a flex plate problem (broken gear teeth)
When you try to start it does the pulley and serpentine belt turn ?

( FYI. Your use of terms makes it a little confusing. You say the solenoid doesn't seem to engage. I think you mean the starter bendix. )

 

A code for timing usually means something is out of whack, like a stretched timing chain or broken front guide. But that shouldn’t stop the starter from engaging.

 

The problem is when I turn the key to the start position, all the lights come on as normal and i can hear the starter motor spin up. The solenoid does not shove the gear on the starter motor shaft up to engage with the flywheel. Hence, no crank. the engine does not turn over. I jumped the old starter with some jumper cables. It works fine. The starter motor spins up and the solenoid kicks the gear up the shaft towards the nose of the starter. I'm wondering if it's the ignition switch. I thought I saw something about a recall on it. Could that be a symptom of a bad ignition switch??

 

Possibly the ignition switch, check your VIN online or stop by your local dealership to confirm if the switch was changed

 

the switch was replaced already

 

Since you tested the starter, and it moves the gear... I'm with George, check the ring gear.

 

Code "something about crankshaft" is usually a warning that the timing chain is about to break.

The solenoid IS the switch to start the starter. The spinning of the starter motor advances the Bendix.

Turn the key, computer tells the start relay to energize the solenoid, the solenoid clicks a switch to turn the starter motor on, the Bendix gets thrown at the flex plate.