Electrical Starter or solenoid

I jus got a 91 5.0 lx. First to say I’m cranking the car with a screwdriver At the solenoid because the wires aren’t hooked correctly and it was starting just fine. But now when I crank It I here it turn the crankshaft turn then all of a sudden it disengages from the flywheel and starter turns freely. I’m wondering is it the solenoid gone bad or is it the comple starter itself.
 
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If the starter turns, but the Bendix does not stay kicked out and engaged, I would remove and bench test the starter. If you are jumping power from the big, hot side terminal to the trigger small terminal, that’s (akwardly) testing the solenoid. If a Ford starter relay (aka solenoid) fails, it’s likely to weld the points stuck (and keep starting) or not work at all. The GM and the mini all in one set up is a different story.