[diesel]

Could also be a broken timing belt - no engine compression for the starter to turn over. How many miles, and when was the timing belt last replaced?

 

[diesel]

Robby, that was beautiful for a Sunday morning. I was about to just replace the starter, but a little voice told me it could be something else.

With your mention of the sprag housing and rollers holding in a release position and another item worth of note that I didn't think to mention.

The dealer I purchased the car from cleaned the inside of the engine compartment. To make the engine look new. This car is used with 60K miles on it (stick shift). There's places in the engine compartment with a power washer symbol and a circle and cross through it saying not to spray this. Like the fuse box and the battery. They sprayed cleaner all over the engine. I mean doused the entire engine and compartment and didn't clean it all out.

I realize this is all theory and guess work but that cleaner is a bit sticky in the cold.

A bad engine cleaning job can wreak all kinds of havoc. I think you're onto something there.