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.

 

[Chuckt]

my power steering belt made a screeching sound and every week or 2 the belt would snap off and i finally took it to the shop and had them inspect what was wrong. They told me i need a new idler.

 

[tsunari]

This thread may be dead, but I had the EXACT same problem with the scratching sound while starting. Bought a new starter from bosch and have never had the problem since . . . Turns out that all I probably needed to do was clean up the shaft and perhaps lube it up. . . .

 

[tranman91]

Hmm...i've been having this same problem for a few days. Happens during start up when the car's cold...and now sometimes i hear a different sound squeeling away while downshifting at higher rpm's?!

 

[2GeNTSi]

Originally posted by tsunari
This thread may be dead, but I had the EXACT same problem with the scratching sound while starting. Bought a new starter from bosch and have never had the problem since . . . Turns out that all I probably needed to do was clean up the shaft and perhaps lube it up. . . .

yeah I purchased a new starter as well around Nov 2003, haven't heard that sound at all since then. I took out my starter and brought it to pepboys, they tested it and I could hear that noise that I always heard after the car started. The employee told me that the voltage is supposed to stay constant but mine would go up then then slowly drop. I got the starter for 150 bucks, 180 without the core and the install took me about 30 min.

Oh yeah it might be the solenoid but the solenoid is about 130 so you might as well buy a remanafactured starter that comes with a new solenoid.

 

[96TalonTS-jets8]

I have 2g also and i hear the horrible sound when I start it up sometimes. But now its getting even worse as the days progress. Mine will make the sound when i try to start the car for the first time and if i dont let off the key it will keep making that noise. Even if it starts to crank fine for a bump or two, the cranks are slow and then it seems as if the starter gives up. Then I stop and wait a sencond and try again and might take 2-3 times before it cranks fine and starts. Should I just replace the starter or try cleaning it?When I took it off, I had it tested a pep boys and it worked fine. But I didn't lube it any when I installed it though.

 

[Siberian]

Well, my car is at the dealer for other problems - but the mitsu mechanic coincidentally heard the starter sound too (single, short, clunking screech for a second right after starting).

He swears it's nothing to worry about, says it's "just brake dust or whatever in the starter" and that it's a common complaint. No need to replace the starter.

Knock on wood, it's been making that sound for years, and has always started fine.

I don't know why it would only happen when it's cold outside though.

 

[nxm150]

I'm the one that started this thread. My car still makes that noise. I just try to distract my passengar when starting up the car so I don't have to explain why it makes that noise :laugh:

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by nxm150
I'm the one that started this thread. My car still makes that noise. I just try to distract my passengar when starting up the car so I don't have to explain why it makes that noise :laugh:

... I call it my Wintry Weather Driving Conditions Alert, cuz it only happens when it's below freezing

 

[boostedawdtsi]

I have this problem also.. replaced started and still the same noise.. my car is in the shop getting some stuff done.. while its in there i am putting a shep tranny in it. the mechanic that is doing the work said "dust in the started" i said "i replaced it a few months ago" he said "maybe its the flywheel" i said ok and ordered a act 11lb flywheel (which i was going to do anyway) i will let you know if it solves my problem nxm150

 

[TwinOptiX]

I just bought my 2g awd two weeks ago. I have this noise happen only on cold start. I also am having an alternator problem.

 

[bangedUpGSX]

been driving wit this problem for over 3 years, doesn't seem to affect anything.

 

[bangedUpGSX]

oh, and it happens in warm weather too, just little less pronounced. I tried selling my car last year - buyer says "WHAT's THAT?" reply: "Pay no attention to the noise behind the firewall "

No sale, so I'm modding it up again

 

[Defiant]

Whew. This don't smell fresh.