Ignition Switch or Starter?

I seem to have an issue brewing with my starting system. It hasn't left me stranded yet, but it's happening with more frequency. It's sounds like my starter stays engaged a good 5 to 10 seconds longer than when I release the key in the ignition switch. I can hear a spinning or whirring sound when it's happening. Could it be that my (original) starter teeth are getting stuck on the gear? Or that my ignition switch electrical contacts are getting worn out? Any suggestions are much appreciated, don't want to replace the starter if not necessary.

Unlikely to be ignition switch, so long as the springs back to the run position. Most likely starter solenoid or bendix is just not releasing. High spin light weight replacement starter are relatively inexpensive.

Yes, it's probably the Bendix drive keeping the pinion gear on the flywheel ring after the engine fires instead of retracting it. There can be a few reasons for that, not all of which call for tossing the starter. For a drive-release fix the starter does need to come out.

Read this thread before you get too far into it.

Post #1 looks like what you're reporting.

Posts #5 and #7 cover two of the issues. When you put the starter back in be sure the centering ring is still where it belongs.