[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

My 2004 Boxster starter has just started making a slight noise. When I do a forum search for "starter noise," I find a number of posters referring to a "starter screech." My noise isn't what I'd call a screech, it's a momentary slight grinding, as though the Bendix is hanging up briefly. The start sequence proceeds normally, the starter turns and the engine catches, but just as it does, there is a slight, brief grinding noise.

I think the Bendix disengaging a second late is exactly what's happening, judging by the sound, but I just wanted to confirm: is my "grinding" what other posters have referred to as "starter screech"?

Car has 80,000 miles and is 15 years old, so I wouldn't be surprised if the Bendix grease had deteriorated.