Odd Starter Sound, Then No Start

[Daisy]

I took my 18 year-old son's 120kmi 2004 Vibe out to fill it with gas and wash it (it's been ice and snow here in the Northeast for the past 2 months- but finally warmed up into the 60's). I don't drive it often, but I swear the starter sounded odd when I fired it up- but I figured that was just my relative unfamiliarity with the car.

I made a few stops to run errands, and it sounded the same (odd) while starting each time. Then when attempting to leave the gas station- the starter engaged for a moment- then just the electric motor sound "zzzzzzzzzzz". The fuel attendants pushed the car out of the way and I retrieved the lug wrench from the hatch to use it to tap on the starter- but when I turn the key- same thing "zzzzzzzzz" just the whirring sound of the electric starter motor. I ended up having to call for a tow truck, who hauled the car back to my house, so it's in my driveway again.

I do not have any experience with this issue, so I'm researching on this forum and other places. Is this simply a starter replacement, or is this something else? In addition to this 2004 Vibe, I recently purchased a 2008 Toyota Corolla in decent condition for what I think is a decent price (since it uses the same reliable engine and trans) for my daughter who will be getting her license in a few years and I figure I might as well learn how to do this now since I may have a similar failure in the Corolla.

Thank you in advance for any insights or advice.

[andrewclaus]

It sounds like the starter pinion gear might have stripped. Either that or the flywheel gear. Hope it's the starter--it's easy to replace. Remove the starter and inspect the gear, look for missing or worn teeth. It's an easy removal and replacement.

[Daisy]

I appreciate your feedback. I ordered a starter, (AC Delco Gold- $70) and will be replacing it this coming weekend. I'll update this thread so others can benefit from my experience.

[Daisy]

Turned out to be a simple starter replacement. I purchased a new (not refurbished) AC Delco "Gold" starter on Amazon. It was less than half the price of purchasing the same starter from Napa, Advance or AutoZone. The one problem you will face if purchasing a starter online and having it shipped is the possibility of it being received damaged. I purchased 4 starters- the first 3 had the plastic signal wire receiver snapped off. The signal wire could be attached, but the portion of the housing that secures the connector was broken off (in two of the shipments, the plastic fragments weren't in the box, leading me to believe I was receiving starters that were either broken before packaging, or opened, damaged and placed back in the box, and sold as new).

Replacing a starter is extremely simple in these cars. Do not pay someone to perform this repair if you have even basic mechanical skills.