It will only start some of the times it just clicks and the starter is not lining up with the flywheel. It makes this awful grinding sound when it does start. I have about three starts before i have to realign the starter teeth with the flywheel

replace the ring gear flywheel whatever it is and the starter at the same time. nobody dremels a ring gear... they are mating gearsets and never ever should be altered

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOUR FLYWHEEL RING GEAR IS MISSING SOME TEETH IT SHOULD BE CHECKED

Probably not your battery connections. Always worth a try though. But no need to remove them, just try and twist the connection on the battery terminal. If the wires aren't permanently affixed to the connector, (ie wires bolt to the connector, and connector bolts to the batter)try to move the wires leading into them. If any of the wires move or the connector twists then you need to tighten them. However it is most likely the solenoid in the starter that makes the gear pop out to connect with the fly wheel. If it isn't coming out all the way that's when you hear the gears not properly meshing and grinding against the fly wheel. Take out the starter and bring it with you to the parts store. Not only will Autozone, O'rielys and other big name stores be able to test it, but will ensure you get the correct part if you need a new one. There are also shops that can repair your old starter for a fraction of the cost of a new one, and can usually have it done in an hour or two.

Just explain the issues to a repair shop & have them figure it out

probably have to replace the flywheel and the starter bendix as both gears probably are worn

It could be either the flywheel or the starter.
If it's grinding, don't try it again until you've removed and examined the starter and flywheel. If the starter solenoid isn't fully engaging the bendix, it will cause the gear to grind; replace or rebuild the starter if that's the case.
But you should examine the flywheel to see if it is seriously damaged from the problems you've had. Put a mark on the flywheel using a magic marker, then examine the flywheel as you slowly turn the engine by hand. (make certain that the ignition is off when you do that, you don't want anything bad to happen to your hand.) The mark on the flywheel will indicate when you've been able to examine the all of the teeth on the starter ring.

2 possible things, 1. the contacts in the solinoid on the starter are bad, it would still test good but wouldnt have enouph power to engage the flywheel, replace starter, or 2. bad flywheel, teeth on flywheel are worn or broken, both require removal of starter, remove starter first inspect flywheel for damage, if none replace starter.

Good indication of a bad starter. Is it just clicking or is it a grinding ugly noise?. The second is definately the starter.

Does it sound like a screeching or grinding sound? If so - it could be the starter is going out - there is a part called the bendix spring that is probably not engaging completely and it will cause the teeth of the starter to not fully engage the flywheel - which makes an awful sound.

Hope this helps and good luck!

KC GTO Dad

It looks like you have an issue with the starter not engaging the flywheel correctly. Does it make a BrrrrRRRRRRRRRRP noise? Best advice: Replace the starter. Do not get it rebuilt. If you replace the starter ASAP, you may be OK. If not, you are going to have to have the transmission pulled, and you will have to replace the flywheel; that is what is being damaged by the bad starter drive. This is, unfortunately, a common issue.

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