I had the same problem with the starter grinding when I started the car cold. It ended up being the battery was getting weaker. Replaced with a new battery and haven't had the noise after that. I think it's harder to turn the motor over when it's cold and also after the car sits a few days if the battery is getting older it loses charge faster.

 

I'm having that same problem on cold starts. It started happening 1 out of 10 times I start the car ever since I changed the spark plugs (OEM).

 

That could be it but I'm not sure why it wouldn't do it when it's hot outside or the engine is warmed up. I'll probably try and grease the starter first and see if that helps.

As far as the top not folding it's 80+ degrees here so that's not the issue. It's more likely that the elastic band is wearing out. How can you tell if it needs to be replaced?

 

This is exactly what I'm thinking.

 

Changing the oil is a temporary fix as the tensioner works with oil pressure but will come back believe that. The bendix gear in the starter is what causes the grind, Billman a NY mechanic came up with a fix you can sand blast the bendix gear or replace it if you are good with stuff like that. I replaced my starter because I just don

 

My bad talking bout two different things LMAO. The grind is the bendix gear, replace the gear, sandblast it or get a new starter. I replaced the starter and took me and a friend like 20-30 mins. Sorry for confusion just trying to help. Marcus

 

I'm such a dumb ass, I'm confusing myself because the worm gear in the tensioner and the bendix gear in the starter I've dealt with both. Let me try this one more time.
The part grinding is the bendix gear on the starter, the grind has something to do with contact the bendix gear makes with the flywheel. Over time the flywheel will be damaged so you do want to fix this asap. The fix is either replace the bendix gear or just replace the starter, I just replaced the starter. Sorry again for confusion.

 

^
ADHD?

anyway, i switched from amsoil 10w30 to amsoil 5w40 and i've never had the starter grind since then...

 

my roof sometimes doesn't fold all the way down, but I find that it only happens when its cold, It looks like the Glass of the roof isnt sliding back all the way, all I do is close it to about 75% and then open again, works everytime, also have a MY02 roof

 

Getting OT fast.

the grinding noise on start up is a super common problem. it is the starter. I believe even after replacing the starter it comes back eventually. (for some)

Search would have saved a lot of time.