99 Camry No engine crank when starting

[MortySnerd]

This just started happening in the last 3 days, but has been very regular.

After the car has been sitting for a while (5+ hours), I turn the key, all electric comes on just fine, engine does one of two things:

- Does a very, very short crank (1/2 second) and then nothing
- Does nothing at all.

If I turn the key from on to off, on to off, toggle it a bit... eventually it'll crank and fire up and everything is fine, except...

Just today when I started it, there was a fierce jet-engine like whine from the engine for about 30-40 seconds, sounded like the cooling fans were on full blast (but they weren't moving at all, I popped the hood) then it abruptly went away, and the car went on driving fine.

Battery and all electric systems appear fine... no check engine lights.... what else could be dying on me here? Thanks!\

Edit: 1999 2.2L 108k, just had major service 2 months ago, no major problems were left unresolved.

[new echo owner]

Sounds like starter contact problem. Do a search, there are other threads that have detail information on that.

N.E.O.