Starter not Engaging, 98 Sunfire 2.4l

[jordanlt1]

Hi all I have an issue with my starter in my 1998 Pontiac Sunfire GT, 2.4l engine, with 5 speed manual transmission.

So this issue never used to be a problem but it has been happening more and more and seems to be almost every time I go to start the car.

When I go to start the car I can hear the starter spinning but its not cranking the engine over. If im lucky it will do it a few times then it will manage to engage and it will start the car. There are times where ill be sitting in my car for like 5 minutes trying to start the car but the starter keeps spinning and not engaging to the engine, but I seem to be able to eventually get it to start the car. BUT its not 100% of the time the starter wont engage, occasionally if im lucky, again, it will start no problems.

I have done some research online and some people are saying that it could be the starter solenoid but my question is, is it possible for it to be the starter solenoid if its intermittent and not 100% the time the starter wont engage?

ALSO

About 5 months ago I replaced the flywheel and clutch to new with a friend who works at a local transmission shop, and my point with that is, that I also read online that the teeth on the flywheel could be worn down and the starter could be skipping on the flywheel teeth but as I just mentioned it is basically brand new.

Now I have not taken the starter out of the car to inspect either of the two because I need to be mobile for getting around to work and what not, I just wanted to see what some people have to say about this issue so I could plan it out a bit better and know what and where to look for.

Any help towards this issue helps me out alot!

Thanks,
Jordan

 

[melsg5]

Was the flywheel you installed new?
You have to remove the starter and examine the flywheel. If not evidence of bad teeth replace the starter.

 

[jordanlt1]

Was the flywheel you installed new?
You have to remove the starter and examine the flywheel. If not evidence of bad teeth replace the starter.

Yes I installed the flywheel new. I took it apart and looked inside at the flywheel and teeth looked good, so I too the starter to a local shop to be rebuilt and that solved the problem! Something with the starter was messed up, but she is starting fine now. Thanks for the help!