84 FXST Starter Kicks out before engine fires

Here is a clue, I do not know how this can help, but it is a start. Cars are made with 2 separate starting circuits.
One is to crank the starter, and it will "fire" the sparkplugs. However, as soon as the engine starts, that circuit disconnects to prevent the running engine from ruining the starter.
When the engine starts, the second circuit kicks in, and the electricity stops flowing into the "start" circuit.
This means, sometimes it is the problem of a bad ignition switch, or a loose or disconnected wire, or a circuit breaker that is bad, when circuit # 2 does not work.
God bless your efforts.

You don't say whether the starter is continuously cranking the engine or just spinning continuously or whether after starting the engine the starter switches off but remains engaged? Lack of detail makes it difficult to give anything but a general answer.

Certainly the starter should be removed and checked for damage and correct operation. The pinion might be tight on the helix, the solenoid could be tight, the return spring broken or the arm pivot seized. If the starter has been engaged while the engine has run at speed or for more than a few minutes the overrun clutch should be replaced.

In any case where the starter has remained engaged the ignition/starter switch and the drive mechanism in the steering column lock should be inspected for correct operation.

solenoid likley. Pull off the small 50 wire and if it still runs it is the solenoid. If not could be the starter relay

Either your starter switch is bad or you have a short in your starter wires somewhere. It should be just a matter of eliminating your switch then tracing wires

sounds like your fuel filter might be plugged causing the engine shutdown.
sounds like the solenoid on the starter is sticking causing your starter to stay engaged and powered up. the starter will stay powered up and will continue to spin until the starter solenoid is disengaged.
one other area to look at is the ignition switch. if that is bad it will continue to send a power signal to the starter solenoid keeping it engaged. so, you may want try unplugging that first, while your starter is running. if continues to run, then i would say it is the starter solenoid and not the switch. good luck

Sounds like time for a new starter. While it could be electrical, in that the starter circuit is remaining engaged, more than likely it is mechanical. As the starter wears, you get play in the starter gear. Replacing the starter should take care of it. If you have recently had the starter off or replaced it, it could be misaligned, causing a similar problem.

If you are saying that you have replaced the starter motor and the solenoid and checked the springs and the starter drive fork and found the in good condition, let's assume that all this stuff is good. There are a few more things left. One is the ring gear of the outer clutch drum. Inspect it for damaged teeth. If that is found to be in good condition, the starter drive (Bendix) may be bad. This is the gear on the end of the starter jack shaft that has the one-way bearing in it. Sometimes they go bad and allow the shaft to slip inside the bearing. The starter spins but does not turn the engine over. The starter drive can be replaced by removing the left handed threaded nut off the end of the shaft.

If you don't think this is the reason for the "jumping out", the solenoid windings create a magnetic field that pushes the starter out to engage the ring gear on the clutch outer drum. This also holds the starter gear engaged. If the starter gear is jumping out, the solenoid could still be defective.

The only other thing I can think of is that the engine may be trying to start just enough to disengage the starter but not well enough to continue running.

Good Luck. Repost if necessary

Seems to be a problem with the solenoid on the starter. After the engine starts, and you let the key go to the "run" position, the solenoid is supposed to disengage. If it stays engaged, it keeps the battery to starter contacts engaged. You have to remove the starter to get to the solenoid -- usually it is best to replace both the starter and the solenoid as a unit.

If it is spinning & not engaging - could be the bendex in the starter.. Or its the solonoid - which kinda tells the starter what to do.. But might as well replace both starter & solonoid..

Hope this helps !!
Rate me good ;o)

i think maybe you could use a new solinoid and a new starter