Went to crank up the 99' wagon this morning (I usually bike commute, so it had been a few days since I ran it).

It cranked briefly, then went into this weird mode: I could hear the starter motor spinning, pretty as you please, but it ran at a high pitch, without apparent strain, as though it weren't turning the engine over. Now that's all it does.

I'm guessing it's the solenoid. Does that sound right? is there further diagnostics I can attempt to pin point it before I buy a replacement part I may not need?

Thanks in advance,

 

I agree, sounds like the bendix solenoid.
Not really other than to remove it, try it, and see if the solenoid is engaging or not.

 

Thanks, 'stang! I'm not super savvy with DIY diagnosis, but it sounded to my ear exactly what I would imagine an otherwise healthy starter motor sounded like if it was disengaged to the engine - spinning fast, with a high pitch.

 

+1
Always do the troubleshoot/diagnostic to verify what you've removed needs replacing.

 

Coolness, but how does one test the solenoid?

I suppose there's a way to see if the gears are engaging/disengaging with the motor, but my Haynes manual does even address a solenoid diagnosis/replacement.

 

This may not be the proper way, but this is what I do. Remove the starter, take two wires from the battery to the starter/bendix. One will engage the starter spinning, one should fire the bendix solenoid to pop forward. It may be integrated into one operation though. I don't know specifically. But with the two wires from the 12V source, the starter should spin and the bendix should pop forward.

The other thing you could do is if you have help, remove the starter but leave the cable harness on. Turn the key while someone else watches the starter to see if it pops forward.

Anyone else care to jump in, please do.

 

Back in the old days, we used to temporarily remedy this recurring problem by judicious use of a specialized tool often called the "speed wrench". Of course, back then there was sufficient clearance between the block, starter, fender liners and firewall to use that hammer with just enough carefully directed force to free the Bendix so it would engage the flywheel's teeth. Sort of like using pliers to jump a Ford fender liner mounted solenoid. Those days are, however, gone forever.