Whenever you let the car sit for a while, or you just do a fresh oil change, you can crank the car a little but not start it to get the oil circulating.

 

I'm having the same issue in my 02 Ap1. Same 2 second grind on a start up in cold weather. As long as it starts up, should be good. Kind of annoying and embarrassing if you ask me though.

 

While my s2000 doesn't do this my 1998 CRV does.

It's just the starter.

This is a common problem in the winter for the 1st generation CRV. Its a harsh scary loud sound but after searching about it on honda-tech about the crv everyone has concluded that after years of this happening in the winter nothing has broken. However some have taken their starter out and taken it apart and greased the shaft inside of there and it solved the problem.

However I'm too lazy and it hasn't even been doing it in -5 deg weather here which is pretty funny but will do it when it's 35 out.

if you're fully up for it i'm sure you can probably tinker around and get your starter out and take it apart and add some grease which is probably the problem, but I don't think it's going to be something that will leave you stranded if you do nothing about it.



the worst thing about it is it's really embarrassing when it happens.

 

I've got the same issue as well. No troubles until now. Happens only when cold.
Besides the obvious starter motor do you guys think it could also be weak/worn serpentine belt?

I'm planning to change mine in a couple of months so I'll update if that helps..