My 95 Toyota tercel has a grinding sound. Could it be the starter?

My 95 Toyota tercel has a grinding sound when I try to start it. I used to bang on the starter for about a month. Now it just starts right up without me having to bang on it. It does have a little grinding sound. What could this be? Thanks for the help.
Brenda, March 2006


done
if you have had this problem for awhile and suspect the starter then remove the starter you will be able to see if there is damage to the pinion witch is the part that drives the fly wheel if its damaged then its cheaper to replace than fix.

alan mellor, April 2006
link Click here to see other fixes for Toyota.