Fly wheel spinning, but engine won't turn over

Check and test for a failed bendix gear in starter --flywheel damage or motor seized

Starter soups but doesn't engage. Clicking sound: you hear it spinning with a click sound before it starts spinning. No grinding sound. The mechanism to engage the fly wheel could be faulty, probably it is seized, or battery doesn't have enough power to make the solenoid fully pull mechanism (check battery amps charge if low. You may need to look at the starter as someone turns the motor over and make sure it's engaging all the way to fly wheel.
Sometimes you may need to Shem or file down where the two bolts go into the starter too get it far enough into the starter casing to get it to engage.
Walld"

replace the starter and the flywheel-the bad starter has not engaged the teeth on the flywheel fully and has ground some teeth off so you'll fit that space every once in a while-cheers Denny

what is your battery voltage ??? before and during start

Check timing belt first , check starter also .

the starter on most vehicles is bolted to the bell housing of the gearbox, thats the bit that covers the fly wheel, when the starter spins it shoots out and turns the fly wheel , (cranking the engine)
start by finding the bell housing, also the starter has a direct feed from your battery try following the cables back , remember to disconnect the terminals first , dont want any electric shocks !! hope this helps

When you say you bench tested it,did you put it under load or just a free spin.
Check fly wheel teeth and starter teeth for wear.

Sounds like the starter drive is not fully engaging with the fly wheel... might try to tap firmly on the body of the starter while you turn the key but be careful not to hit the wires... Might get you going enough to get to a garage and have it checked. good luck!

may be the starter because the gear is not kicking out to turn your fly wheel

if you still have the oldone take it in and copear w new one.or did some change the motor and not tell you?check you vin no it may be a 1/2 year model