I have a 1988 Celica (3SFE engine) with 214000 miles. When starting the car I get a grinding noise once a week or so -- the same noise that I would hear if turned the starter when the car was already running.

Is it a problem with the starter or flywheel?

Usually when it happens, I just take the key out and try again and it fires right up the second (or third) time. Last week though I tried about ten times and it was grinding every time. Finally I turned the key really slowly and it engaged without grinding after I had turned it about half way. Since then, it has done the grinding a couple of times but the usual solution of just trying about has worked each time.

My neighbor suggested trying to "rock" the car while in gear to force the flywheel to turn ever so slightly so that the starter would engage. I haven't tried this. Has anybody heard of this solution?

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

8/12/2007 10:46:47 PM

starter bendix

8/12/2007 10:49:12 PM