2001 Ford Taurus The battery is new When starting you hear a click then a grinding-sputtering noise If you wait a few seconds and try again the engine starts Is this the starter How did you diagnose?

Answer 1

Here from a similar question regarding a Sable:

A starter will seldom "go bad", but when it does, you will definitely hear a "grinding" or "dragging" noise as it rotates (usually is slow to rotate). That condition is called "starter dragging", caused by worn bushings. When the bushings wear, the starter will drag against the armature inside the starter hull, causing the slow rotation and "dragging" or "grinding" sound.

A single click when you try to start the vehicle is usually indicative of a faulty starter relay/solenoid. Or possibly just a loose cable.

A rapid clicking sound is usually caused by a low battery. Could also be caused by a loose cable. Sounds like your starter needs to come off and go for bench testing at a local auto parts that offers free testing (Autozone, Advance, etc.)

Unfortunately, it does sound like your starter is one of the rare ones that is failing.

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