Recently, my starter stopped engaging the flywheel for unknown reasons. It would spin but The pinion gear wpuld not make contact with the flywheel teeth. I just went outside a few minutes ago and took a voltage drop on the ignition switch terminal of the starter. My DMM was picking up 8.46v. This should be battery voltage! So what should I check next? Can it still be the starter's fault or is it a path problem?

 

My first step would be to disconnect,clean and inspect all connections at the starter.
Remember to disconnect the battery first.

 

Think I figured it all out. When i manually turn the engine a little with my 16mm socket and breaker bar, the starter catches. I'm willing to bet that my flywheel has a bunch of chipped teeth. I remeasured the voltage drop and notices that it goes from 12v to 8.46 in a matter of milliseconds and thats why i didn't see it. It's probably because it's releasing the holdin windings.

But anyway, it catches in certain spots of the flywheel. So again, this is probably my problem. Thanks for the advice nameinuse.

 

You did a voltage drop test on the control circuit? How did you do it? If you put the Red lead of a multimeter on the positive battery terminal, and the black lead on the "s" terminal you should see battery voltage, until you crank it. When you crank it, it should drop to less than 1.5v. If not, you have excessive consumption on the control circuit.

 

I referenced the voltage to ground. So ground side of battery to "S" terminal on starter. You are correct though, It is better to check the path (wire) going from "S" terminal to positive battery. I can't wait to see how many teeth I have missing on the flywheel. Yipee.