2000 Bravada is at it again

This has to be the worst vehicle Ive ever been associated with. So sad too cause I really liked it for about 2 weeks. Sorry for all you Vada fans. Its been running ok(a little fuel issue which caused me to add seafoam) until this afternoon. Wife went to start and the starter just spins and whirrs. I just bought and installed this brand new starter not 6 months ago. I heard the fuel pump turn on and all the power works. The wife said she turned key and it cranked a little bit then starter just started goin WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. I whacked it with a hammer a bit to no avail. A friend suggested my previous fuel issue could be the culprit, perhaps pump or filter. I dont see how either would make the starter just spin. Any help?!?!?!?!?

If the engine is not turning over, either the starter bendix is junk-which is preferable/replace the starter or the flex plate/flywheel has a broken tooth.

Put a socket that fits the nut on the alternator pulley, turn which ever direction that will turn the engine lower pulley 1/4 turn then try to start the engine again. If nothing but the "wheeee" sound is made, the starter is junk.
If the engine cranks over, try the get the starter to "wheeee" again then repeat the above because sometimes the starter bendix will behave, only to fail again.

took starter back to oreillys and it tested fine, but they still gave me a new 1 on account of the fact my existing 1 sounded terrible on their machine. Actually, i got quite an upgrade. I only paid $140 for the 1st 1 and the 1 I got yesterday costs $254. Oreillys didnt charge me a dime though. Installed new starter and it started right up. So far so good. So $0.00 and about an hour of my time. WHEW!

Good work, thanks for the update.