So about a week ago I started hearing a noise when I start to launch from a stop, no matter how high or low the RPMs are. It only happens in first gear from a stop, and doesn't do it all the time. Now 2 days ago when I start the car in the mornings, it grinds a little bit when I start it..the noise it makes is identical to someone trying to start a car while its on.

The car is driving perfectly normal, and isn't throwing any codes. At first I thought it was the serpentine belt but the new grinding noise from the overnight start kind of negates that. Any ideas? I'm thinking its the starter...

 

most likely the slide mechanism in the starter is sticky

 

How big of a deal are we talking about?

 

If it is your starter, I would take it apart, clean it up and or rebuild it. I would not say it is anything to freak out about but if it is having problems you should take of it, you would hate to be stranded when it decides to go...

 

For sure, I am going to bring it down to Sonic's this week sometime but I am just trying to scope out possible options. It doesn't really affect anything yet, just enough to annoy me!! but its better to get it taken care of now vs. later

 

i agree, unless it's bad enough to start gnawing off the flywheel teeth

 

Thats what I was worrying about because I just put the new flywheel in so I hope its not something to do with that..

 

Hmm... your flywheel and starter might be meshing incorrectly or something might not be alligned correctly. I would have it checked out asap.

 

it 's a little odd that the problem got progressively worse for it to be a misalignment. usually a sign of the stuck bendix portion of the starter. i've had it happen on several different vehicles.

 

I think the cause might be linked to your grandpa style driving skills, which can easily be remedied by watching me and taking notes. ;-) Hope you get it fixed, man.