SR5 starter not turning flywheel ?

[Soundwave]

I'm curious if anyone here has encountered a problem where their starter won't actually begin to engage the flywheel when the key is turned in the ignition?

For some reason, whenever I attempt to start my 1985 corolla sr5, all I get is the spinning noise of starter. The engine won't even begin to turn over, and there is no other sound other than that of the starter.

I have tried with 2 seperate starters, and in both cases the bendex on the starter is popping out as it is supposed to (I tried starting the car with the starter disconnected to make sure), and the starters are in good working condition.

I have also attempted to move the flywheel by hand, and can get it to turn easily with the use of a screwdriver to grab the teeth of the flywheel to turn it.

Now I'm really stuck, and extremely confused why it won't start. The '86 started up fine after my dad and I rebuilt the engine, and it was working fine up until a month ago (it was sitting for a while waiting to be painted/have the body work done before I register it), then all the sudden it won't work.

I've tried looking through the repair manuals I have for it (the chilton one is usually very helpful), but there seems to be nothing in there that helps. While I wish I could have found an answer elsewhere for this, I'm totally stumped by this problem

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[etxxz]

(edited) senseless ideas of mine erased.
you'll have to wait till the rear guru's read this...

if its a manual car you can always push start it
i'm still running the sr5 starter on my 20v 86 so if its any help the problem is either your installation or teeth not making contact ~ fully worn down. starter prob messed up too.

[Damemorder]

The solenoid may be sticking when installed, Make sure that isn't the problem.

[mr.andrew]

It sounds like the partt that comes forward and meshes with the ring gear isn't going. Mybe the pull in winding?