Originally posted by Rogerm60:
The starter solenoid is a heavy relay that connects the starter motor to the battery. The bendix is probably what your problem is. It is inside the starter and shoves the starter's gear out into the flywheel teeth to turn the engine. When worn, the bendix can stick (worse in cold weather). This lets the motor start turning before the teeth are enguaged. The teeth grind and that will damage the flywheel if it continues.
The starter is expensive, but nothing like having a new flywheel put in.
Fix it quick!
The starter is about $150, from Bill J. Install it yourself, in about 1-2 hours. Not too bad...
