Do I turn the key all the way to where the car will start, and just quickly turn it back? Or just a partial turn if the key?

 

As soon as the starter engages, turn the key back to stop before the engine starts.

Then turn the key to start the engine as normal. Mine wouldn't grind after doing this.

(I'm guessing that it lubes/warms the starter gear enough to keep it from hanging on)

 

I’ll try that——thank you!

 

I expect that $850 is mostly labor. Perhaps $175 in parts + 4 hours of labor at $150-$160.

My 2010 Sport AT is grinding at start-up in cold weather, too. Only 55,000 miles, but I bought it used from a dealer with 90 day warranty, so I'll have them take a look at it next week. I had a 2009 Sport 5MT for 125,000 miles and never had this issue.

 

keep us posted on what the dealer says.

 

2008 Honda Fit Sport, 113K miles, currently sleeps in a covered garage but spent its first 13 years outside in cold/wet climates.

I've been putting off replacing my starter motor for over a year now. The grinding noise persists and occurs pretty much every time I start the car after it's been sitting for a while, unless it's over 90F outside.

I think at this point there's a good chance my flywheel is damaged. I'm thinking it may not even be worth it to replace the starter motor, and just await the flywheel death.

I read somewhere that the metal heats up on flywheel after first use, and the expansion allows for better contact, which is why you get the problem only once a day usually.

People Who wait too long to replace starter (like me) will probably encounter problem after starter is replaced bc of damaged flywheel teeth.

Am I wrong? Anyone else leave their grinding starter in for over a year?

 

and how much more $$ for both starter and flywheel?

 

Just change the starter. The flywheel has many more teeth on it than the starter so it's probably ok. It depends on how much grinding you're talking about I suppose. If you manage to damage the teeth on the flywheel, that's a lot of grinding! Best of luck.