I had to take a trip into the bowels of the local junkyard yesterday, and was forced through a few very deep mudpuddles while I was in there.

Since then, the starter doesn't always engage - when I turn the key it makes a loud humming/buzzing noise and doesn't crank the engine. If I flip the key back to "Off" and try again, it will usually start the car up, if not the first time within two or three tries.

It's been taking fewer tries and even happening less frequently (not every time anymore) since I got out of those awful puddles. It's like it's 'drying out' or something.

Does this signify definite starter failure soon or will it 'dry out' and go back to working normally? If it's going to fail, I want to make the change before it starts getting too cold out!