The fly wheel crush the starter - Cutlass Ciera Oldsmobile Cars & Trucks

I agree with Ignition switch diagnosis. Another possibility is a short in the lockout for the gearshift and brake pedal lever. This is suppose to stop you from starting the vehicle unless your foot is on the brake pedal. These get smashed and it should not allow power to go to the starter relay, but if they do cross the circuit, it may provide power to the starter relay. You did not say if the starter tried to engage when you tried to shift from Park.

I think the Ignition switch is the most likely, but I wanted to mention the crushed lockout switch as a remote possibility.

There is no way the ring gear will hit the starter pinion unless the fly wheel bolts on the crank shaft or loose allowing the flywheel to run out of true. If you have had clutch/ rear seal work done lately the fly wheel will only fit in one position and if that was ignored at some time then the fly wheel will run out and touch the starter pinion.. I would also check the adjustment on the starter pinion as it has to be set by the lever pivot to a correct distance or it will touch the teeth of the ring gear

It is either a bad starter or a bad fly wheel. What happens is the teeth of one or the other wear down. If you are turning the starter several times and it finally starts then you have a bad spot on your fly wheel. One way to check is to pull out the starter and look at the teeth on it. If it is your fly wheel it should be replaced but you will have some time. As the wheel turns you will probably not hit the bald spot on it that often.

starter, take out and try across battery and it should whirr and jump out as if connecting with flywheel, if no spray the whole starter with WD40 inside and leave overnight. worked for me.

ITS NOT THAT HARD BUT YOU'LL NEED A PARTNER TO HELP YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO DROP YOUR TRANSMISSION TO GET TO YOUR FLY WHEEL

could be! can be cracked,could have damaged drive gear tooth on it! could be starter that became loose also! inspect it asap before damaging new starter or fly wheel!

 you need a shim, if its screaming your clearance is to great. Are you positive its the right starter?

You more than likely need a new fly wheel, your fly wheel and starter are probably not making contact

You may need to shim the starter and I would have the starter tested.It is not uncommon to purchase a faulty elecrical part of any type from a part store.