weird scratching sound on cold starts...

[nxm150]

I own a 97 GSX with 80,000 miles on it. Bought it new and have done all the required maintence. When I start up my car in the morning, I hear a scratching sound that lasts about 1-2 seconds. It happens after I let go of the key when starting the engine. I had a friend check under the hood when it was making this noise and this is what we found out. It is coming near the intake manifold on the engine . I think it is the starters brushes are not disengaging all the way and that is where you hear the straching sound come from.

 

[badboysean]

ya, mine just started since it began to get cool outside. Pretty odd.

 

[badboysean]

Hey guys, any new revelations on this? Mines starting to annoy the hell out of me. Think its about time to get it checked out.....

Sean

 

[badboysean]

any of ya guys still around?

 

[badboysean]

any of ya guys still around?

 

[toshi128]

Is your sound coming from the belts or from the starter???

You should open your hood before you start your engine, and find out exactly where the sound is coming from. Mine makes many different noises tho... the stratching sound from the starter (from what i assume by reading this forum) as well as my lifters ticking.

But since there aren't any known problems from those (from what people have said on this forum), I'll just leave them alone, and spend the money else where.

 

[badboysean]

theres a good solution to the lifter tick on the vfaq's. But im also guessing its coming from my starter. Its just raelly annoying, there must be something to do. I wonder how much a new starter runs.

Sean

 

[blackvr4]

sounds like the one way clutch in your starters gone try unplugging your coils and see if it still does it

 

[SPEEDY]

I also have this similar type of sound that some of you guys are mentioning, and it only seems to happen on the FIRST initial start up every single time, especially after letting it sit for atleast 6 to 8 hours at a time. It doesn't seem to make the metal to metal, spinning grinding sound after I drive it around and park it for a short period. It starts up fine with no sound whatsoever. I was guessing alternator at first, and then I was thinking the starter wasn't disengaging from the flywheel. I don't have a clue though.

 

[badboysean]

Hey Speedy: That is exactly what we are talking about. Apparently its a problem with quite a few people, mine just started a few months ago and ive have had the car for going on 2 years.

Sean

 

[SPEEDY]

Originally posted by badboysean
Hey Speedy: That is exactly what we are talking about. Apparently its a problem with quite a few people, mine just started a few months ago and ive have had the car for going on 2 years.

Sean

Yeah... it's really getting on my nerves now. It's kinda embarassing when I first start my car up after an 8 hour shift at my job. Everybody can hear it real nicely. I have had my car for 4 years now and it just started it the beginning of last fall.

 

[1stGENracer]

My power steering pump makes noises like that for a few seconds on startup, then it will whine until it heats up, really annoying.

 

[nellystyle]

seeing this post confirmed what my mechanic told me a few days ago. i went in for an alternator that i had needed done anyway, and thought that the alternator was making that "nut in a vacuum" noise but he said that in first gen's (this is a dsm only shop, real good guys in newington, CT) it's fairly common for the starter to make that noise, and sure as shit the noise is comin from my starter. still only happens cold mornings for a split second or when it sits, but according to him it's no big deal until it's hard starting then you'll obviously need to replace it.
otherwise it's just another annoying noise to go with our window rattles and sunroof squeeks

 

[nineD5_GS-T]

Mine does this too and since i get a free diagnostic check at mitsu, due to hookups, i asked them what it could be. He said that its the flywheel missing teeth and when the starter is in that spot to spin the flywheel, the sound is it missin the teeth (if that makes any sense to u)...I had my starter replaced b4 i knew of the whole flywheel theory and the noise DID NOT go away...

 

[dsmnate]

Mine did the exact same thing for a little while but has since stopped.

What kind of oil are you guys using?

It may have nothing to do with it but mine only seemed to start doing it after I had it in to a shop for the T-belt change and they changed the oil with some regular cheap stuff. When I started using Semi-Synthetic it seem to go away after a little bit. It may have nothing to do with it and just be a coincidence but it did go away. I think it is more of a coincidence because I would tend to believe the problem is with the starter.

 

[masterpah]

Mine still does it ever since October. It does not do it if the engine is warn at all, but mostly if it was sitting around for more than 3 or 4 hours.
I couldn't replace the starter because the weather is too cold.
I wish I could fix this right away. I hate when people ask me: " What's that noise", or "you still didn't replace your starter", or the really dumb ones like: "Do you hear that noise"
Thanx for the space.

 

[SPEEDY]

Originally posted by masterpah
Mine still does it ever since October. It does not do it if the engine is warn at all, but mostly if it was sitting around for more than 3 or 4 hours.
I couldn't replace the starter because the weather is too cold.
I wish I could fix this right away. I hate when people ask me: " What's that noise", or "you still didn't replace your starter", or the really dumb ones like: "Do you hear that noise"
Thanx for the space.

Your car is acting exactly just like mine down to a T. Yours also started making the noise about the same time as well, except mine started around Sept instead of Oct . Last but not least as with your car mine only does it if it has sat for long periods of time say 4 + hours or more. It never does it again after it has been warmed up. It's crazy! Just curious... how many miles are on your car? My car has 76,000 on it currently.

 

[RamenPride]

Originally posted by masterpah
Mine still does it ever since October. It does not do it if the engine is warn at all, but mostly if it was sitting around for more than 3 or 4 hours.
I couldn't replace the starter because the weather is too cold.
I wish I could fix this right away. I hate when people ask me: " What's that noise", or "you still didn't replace your starter", or the really dumb ones like: "Do you hear that noise"
Thanx for the space.

you can replace the starter, but it probably won't solve the problem. i replaced mine last winter, but the grinding came back again as soon as it got cold out...

 

[magecite]

I get that sound, when you say cold like how cold? -25? found out it was just frost on my blower. but how cold is COLD lot's of stuff happens when I start my car -50*f....

 

[badboysean]

Its amazing how many people have this problem but noone knows exatly what it is, at least I dont think so. Oh, and about starting the car after work and being embarassed, I know all about that. I knowwww everyone hears the damn thing when it starts up, drives me nuts.

Sean

 

[hostile]

Guys it is your starters. I had the sound then a month or two my starter went out.

Go to a place that rebuilds starters and ask them about the sound they should be able to explain what part on the starter is making the noise.

 

[masterpah]

Your car is acting exactly just like mine down to a T. Yours also started making the noise about the same time as well, except mine started around Sept instead of Oct . Last but not least as with your car mine only does it if it has sat for long periods of time say 4 + hours or more. It never does it again after it has been warmed up. It's crazy! Just curious... how many miles are on your car? My car has 76,000 on it currently.

My car has 76000 on it as well. I'll try the starter as soon as it warms up.

 

[hostile]

For refrence mine went out at 78000 and it was a 2g.

Also it isnt my flywheel because it is a new flywheel.

 

[badboysean]

See what I mean? Noone knows what it is.

Sean

 

[SPEEDY]

This is just to insane. I'm just glad to know were all in this together as a team.

 

[SPEEDY]

Originally posted by masterpah


My car has 76000 on it as well. I'll try the starter as soon as it warms up.

Damn... what a coincidence! We must have twins that were seperated at birth.