Bad grinding noise from starter on cold startup
 

Hello,

so about 3 weeks ago i noticed that there is a really really bad grrrrrrrk coming from the starter (i think) when i start the car cold. I usually start the car, and 2 seconds after it starts there is a super loud grinding noise for about 1 second. Then everything runs smoothly... no issues. If i hold the key in the starting position for a couple extra seconds after starting the car... the sound just gets delayed until i bring the key off the starter position. When i start a warm car... there are no issues.

the car starts up with no problems... 2 cycles and it starts up almost instantly.

i guess what is different about this is that the starter seems to be strong and starts up the car perfectly fine.


Any ideas what this could be/ what the fix is?

A fellow member suggested a stethoscope for my noisy engine part. It works so well I suggest the same to you. Now your going to have a helper to start the car while you hunt for the noise.

Could be a sticky solenoid.

Sounds to me the starter pinion is well worn or its freewheel-clutch is dodgy....

Either way, its a starter out job to check/fix.