[Will N]

More than likely it is a broken bendix spring, or perhaps a bolt holding the bendix spring is broken or has backed itself out. I had that happen to me once. A tab on the lock washer broke and the bolt backed out and fell into the bellhousing. I was able to fish it out with a tool I have that I think I got at Harbor Freight. It's a combination magnet, grappling claw and light on the end of stiff but flexible cable. I shoved it down through the starter hole (after removing the starter), below the flywheel, and sure enough the magnet got it and I fished the bolt out. This happened at a New England meet, and I did the repair in the parking lot. I carry a spare bendix drive, so I was able to replace the lock washer.