1996 Saturn will not start

1996 Saturn DOHC 1.9 manual transmission.

When I try to start the car it will engage when the key is turned but only the one time and then stop. This behavior is consistent every time I attempt to start it.

I can hear the start attempt to crank and then just a whirring sound.

Any thoughts.

Sounds like a bad starter solenoid.

+1. Hit the starter with a hammer and see if it gets it working again. New ones can be found on ebay

OK I replaced the start and the CPS(I had some symptoms where it would not fire when trying to start so it was suggest that I replace that as well.

When the starter was replaced I tried to start the car. It took a while to actually fire and get running. Once it started it idles OK but when I attempt to give it gas it will sputter and misfire. I can here a loud sound like a bad muffler coming from the air cleaner box. I am unable to get it over about 2200 RPMs. It was running great before the starter failed 2 days ago.

I can start a new thread if necessary but I thought I would start here.

I rechecked all of my work on the starter and the CPS. Verified I didn't knock something loose :). I pulled the plugs and they were black. I cleaned them off and reinstalled. Pulled the PCM B fuse for 5 minutes and restarted the car. It is now running as good as it used to.

I am guessing it was flooded and running rich which caused the black soot on he plugs, as well as on the ground under the tailpipe.

Replace your ECTS also