Preliminary Tests
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1998 Pontiac Bonneville, 1998 Oldsmobile Regency, 1998 Oldsmobile LSS, 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight, and 1998 Buick LeSabre. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Remove starter from vehicle. See STARTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Check starter for damage such as broken or stripped electrical terminals, broken or cracked drive end housing, etc. If no obvious damage is found, perform starter no-load test and pinion clearance check before disassembling starter motor.