I took my starter apart to regrease it and put in a new solenoid. Upon putting it back together the assembly won't move when pushing on the plastic lever arm that the solenoid connects to, and when I reinstall it the starter spins but doesn't engage.

I thought I put it back together the way it's supposed to go, but I'm not sure. All the planetary gears are in place, the plate is over the gears, the plastic solenoid lever is put in with the wider part down and notch up and the metal half ring against the shaft, then the motor assembly attached with the 8mm bolts lined up. When the motor assembly isn't attached, pushing on the solenoid lever moves the shaft assemby, but not after I screw on the motor. Is this a problem?

Does it matter which of the positive leads the starts is attached to on the solenoid?

Does anybody with this kind of experience with this? I really want my car to start sometime today!!

 

Well after cranking it a few times it finally engaged and has started great ever since. Seems to start faster too. :-)