3 times now noisy whirring from starter

[w261w261]

Three times in the past 3 months or so, when attempting to start the car the starter has made a loud whirring/whining/crashing noise with no engagement of the flywheel. I guess it could be a missing tooth or teeth on the flywheel, but I assume it's the starter going bad. Is the solution a new starter, or is there a fix on the existing starter that I can do?

[lostforawhile]

pull the starter and look at the teeth and the flywheel teeth,it's probably the gears in the starter,since it has internal gears. i had several go bad,sounded like the engine was going bad,and it was the starter. they are geared down internally. as far as fixing,just get a rebuilt.

[2oodoor]

better fix that starter before It does eat up the flywheel

[carotman]

I'm pretty sure it's the starter and not the flywheel. That thing is made of hardened steel and is very strong.

[w261w261]

OK, a new starter it is. Thanks everyone, and Merry Christmas.

[itzdave]

better fix that starter before It does eat up the flywheel