Starter Question

I recently installed a new starter in my 1990 Honda Civic. Now when I turn the key to crank the engine, unless I am very gentle and quick with the key, there comes a grinding sound from the starter – the same noise you get when you mistakenly turn the ignition key when your car is already running. The car starts, but that noise can’t be good. Any ideas what’s causing it?

sure its bolted down all the way? that grinding is starter gear grinding against flywheel/flex plate's ring gear's teeth. definetly not good. take starter out and look inside and check condition of teeth on (im assuming flywheel but could be wrong) flywheel. My suggestion would be to make sure starter is bolted down nice and good first.

GL

I already checked the bolts to the starter and they are tight. Is there a solonoid or something that retracts the starter gear from the flywheel. It feels like that isn't happening right away when the engine starts. Could it be a defective ignition switch or something?