Nissan Repair: 1995 Nissan Pulsar Solaire, grating noise, thankyou john

Question
Hi I have an Australian 1995 Nissan Pulsar "Solaire" with a GA16 DE motor A/T. Ocassionally the dash lights up but the car won't start but when I shift the A/T gear shift to reverse and back to park it will start. Also when starting and only when the engine is cold I hear a "grating" noise coming from around the starter motor. I've had the starter motor replaced but it still has the same problem. Could it be something to do with the inhibitor or starter relays? thankyou

Answer
John,

I would think the starter bendix, drive gear, is not meshing with the ring gear or that the ring gear is damaged and that is where the noise is coming from.  A relay or inhibitor will not make a grating noise.  Pull the starter and inspect the gear and then get a light and inspect the ring gear it meshes with.