@VDCdriver I am not overrunning the starter. I’m very careful about not doing that as I know it can damage it. @Yosemite I’ll try doing that next time I start it! I’ll most likely end up having to take it to another dealer. I’ve tried that once before but they basically blew me off too. I have one other Toyota dealer in my area that I can try.
The starter assembly is designed such that the forces from the flywheel ring gear when the engine starts overrun the starter motor forces and the gear backs away from the flywheel ring gear. Even if you keep the key in START after the engine starts, the starter disengages.