4Runner 1998 2.7L 4cyl 5 speed. Had starter trouble last winter/spring with the starter. Replaced battery and self installed rebuilt starter 4/05. Major PIA. No problems all summer. Now it is starting to spin. Cold mornings may or may not be part of the issue (low 20s). Turn the key and it spins once at first, now ( after 1-2 weeks) it spins 2 or 3 times b/f the engines engages and starts. Auto parts guys says pull it out and bring it in and if it is bad (based on his test) they will replace n/c. The Tech I use said it may be the "flywheel" is bad too. Something to do with the gears to the engine. ???

My rig has 136K miles. This job was a B!TCH when it was warm out, now it is below freezing. Any thoughts on the problem: Pinion Gear, Bad ring gear, plunger, over-run clutch,?????. Can something cause a good starter to go bad? Can a bad starter cause good gears to wear and make the problems worse. Why is cold start a problem?

I can get the Tech to pull it ($$$$) and he will get the part n/c, I do not know about the "flywheel" or gear issues ($$$$).

I get the feeling that I will be stuck with a spinning starter and no way to work any day now.
Please chime in!
Thanks.