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Broken flywheel: why the Opel Zafira does not start even though the starter motor is turning.

Model: Vauxhall Zafira MK 2, A05, Zafira B - Years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Part: Starter motor

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Video tutorial

Here we are going to analyze a problem that can occur much more frequently than one might think. Our Zafira wouldn't start, even though the starter motor was turning, but it wasn't engaging with the engine: that's why it was suspected to be faulty.

The youtuber inspected it, and looked through the inspection hole of the gearbox bell, which allows you to see where the pinion of the starter motor engages with the flywheel of the engine. Unfortunately, looking through that hole, he saw that the flywheel gear was damaged.

So, why did it seem like the starter motor was the problem? Its gear turns, but it doesn't find anything to engage with, so it spins freely and the engine doesn't move. It is clearly a much more complex and expensive repair than simply replacing the starter motor, because half of the transmission needs to be disassembled for the replacement of the flywheel, and it is not a job that can be done by amateurs.

At least, however, we will have saved the money from buying a new starter motor.


Posted on 5 October 2025 by ScegliAuto


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by ScegliAuto

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