A starter device for an internal combustion engine includes a starter housing, an electric motor and an engagement pinion driven in rotation by the motor around the pinion rotation axis, the pinion being movable in a translational motion along its pinion rotation axis between a retracted position and an engaging position for engaging a gear connected to the internal combustion engine, the translational motion being caused by the rotation of the electric motor, the starter device further comprising a non-rotatable element which is blocked in rotation with respect to the starter housing, a rotatable element driven in rotation by the electric motor, a helical linkage between the non rotatable element and the rotatable element for causing the translational motion of the pinion. The non rotatable element is fixed in translation along the pinion rotation axis with respect to the starter housing, the rotatable element can translate with respect to the starter housing, and translation of the rotatable element causes translation of the pinion towards its engaging position. The non-rotatable element includes a retractable clutching member with a pin movable in translational movement, so that the helical linkage can be deactivated.