Toyota Repair: Previa Start problem, flywheel teeth, gear teeth

Question
I have a 1998 Toyota Previa which has given me no problems til now.  Last night when I tried to start it, the engine turned over a couple of times, then I just heard a whirring sound.  I tried to start it a couple more times, but each time just heard the whirring sound, like a blender on high speed.  Is the problem the starter, or worse?

Answer
There may be damage to the flywheel teeth that the starter engages into or the problem may just be the starter, the starter has to be removed for inspection of the flywheel ring gear, with the starter removed the engine can be rotated by hand while someone looks at the ring gear teeth to make sure they are not damaged, if they are good all the way around it will only require a starter replacement.