Starter Motor Problems?

It's been over 20 years since I've had to deal with a dud starter motor so I want to double check the advice I'm giving.

My neighbour just inherited an old 87 laser, it's actually in pretty good condition and looks a nice little car.
When she starts it she gets a grinding noise which sounds to me like the starter is not fully engaging the flywheel - she has to try several times and it eventually starts.
Is my diagnosis correct or it could be something else.
Would the old trick of tapping it with a hammer be any use?
Thanks

Yes possibly the flywheel teeth are worn.
Or the starter motor solenoid is not pushing and pulling enough.
It's the round tube thingy on top of the starter motor.
Give it a few "light taps with the end of a hammer handle if you can"
Light taps,were not trying to make it oval lol.

Cheers Matt

Grinding sound when starter is trying to engage is definitely related to the starter solenoid system and throw mechanism, or damage flywheel ring gear. You say that the car has been inherited, did it sit for a while while the estate was finalised, particularly in a coastal area. I am thinking along the lines of the throw mechanism on the starter having been dry and developing a layer of corrosion, which limits the starter pinion advancing properly and fully engaging.

The solenoid itself seems to be operating as it is making electrical contact and energising the starter, if it wasn't, the starter would not spool up and there would be no grinding noise.

If the problem is the engaging linkage and starter pinion, it would probably be overcome easily by removing the complete starter assembly and cleaning and lightly lubing the throw mechanism. If there is obvious damage to the pinion, a kindly auto elec should be able to replace the pinion for not a huge amount of cash, a less kindly one would sell a reco unit for much more money.

With the starter motor out, there should be an opening 75-90mm dia into the bell housing where the starter mounts. You should be able to peer in there and check the flywheel and ring gear for damage. If there is regular grinding a few times with every start attempt, there will soon be damage to the ring gear, which could possible be a terminal issue as the cost of dropping the drive shafts, removing the transmission or engine and transmission as a unit, and fighting into the flywheel/ring gear, removing them and replacing, then reassembling everything and replacing anything else found worn or damaged along the way could well come close to or exceed the actual value of the car.

Pray for something simple at the starter engagement mechanism, it is a much easier and cheaper fix.

As Mal said, it could be the ring gear, with the starter removed inspection is simple. If the ring gear is burred over, a die grinder or Dremel with a burr could be used to de-burr it. Check the complete ring gear as they usually stop in 3 or 4 places, using a screw driver to turn the motor over to check the teeth. Make sure that the positive lead from the battery is removed from the battery to prevent accidentally arcing out, when the starter is removed.
Kryn

I don't know about an '87 Laser specifically but do yourself a favour and, as soon as you open the bonnet, check that the leads to both battery terminals are properly connected... at both ends of each lead.

It's unlikely but it does happen that a loose/corroded lead will supply just enough power to "barely get half the job done" as it were.

After all, it only takes a minute to eliminate this as even a remote possibility before you start the contortion dance with a starter. :D

Remove the Negative lead from the battery.

My first motor problems? eh i remember that very well.. About a week ago, my car started making a sound coming from the serpentine belt area. I didn't have much time to investigate it, so I let it go to my mechanic and he said... its bad power steering pump. They did it after few days... https://www.steeringlpsr.com/ Im glad to work with them.