Nissan Repair: Starter Noise?, 1996 nissan 200sx, nissan 200sx

Question
I have a 1996 nissan 200sx se with about 150K miles.
For the past few years I have a noise that sounds like it is comming from the stater. The sound seems to come about in cold weather. In the summer I never hear the sound.
The sound is like a grinding (but not like metal on metal)that last for few seconds after starting. The car has ran great for all these years. Any thought?

Answer
Mark,

Change the starter as the Bendix is going out.  When you let off the starter it is supposed to spin free of the flywheel and retract.  Yours is old and is sticking.  If the situation continues the starter will hang and not release.  This is not a good thing since it can cause other problems.