i had this happen a few times on cold mornings. Initially thought it was just the starter, but I wanted to know if there is a way to rule out more dangerous faults, such as a loose flywheel. Any thoughts?


The car has a lightened flywheel and an exedy oem replacement clutch.

 

Video unavailable.

 

I couldn't play your video, but I had a terrible noise from my car on start up a few months ago. I had the car on a battery tender for a while but the tender seemed to be working strangely. It kept alternating back and forth from showing fully charged to charging again. This went on for some time, so I tried my other tender. The battery appeared fully charged, so I removed it and attempted to start the car. It sounded terrible! I thought something major was wrong with the engine. I still had doubts that the battery had taken a full charge, so I picked up another battery and replaced the one in the car. The car started right up and the concerning racket was gone. I think the battery was so dead that the starter was not fully engaging the flywheel (I'm no mechanic). I also have an aftermarket clutch and lightened flywheel, but I doubt this had anything to do with my issue.

 

Every year when weather turns cold a bunch of threads pop up about starter squeal. Its normal for our warm blooded cars. Nothing to worry about, just annoying and embarrassing.

Not usually perceived as a starter 'grind', so can't be sure this issue is our normal cold weather starter squeal. But that would be the first thing to rule out.

 

My Element has a ''grind' for a few seconds when I cold start it in the winter. If the video worked, I'd tell you if it sounded the same.

 

If it's a grind for a second after the car fires up, it's the starter. It keeps spinning for a second sometimes even after releasing the engine start button for some reason.

 

 

Oh man! Clearly I do not know how to use the internet well. I had the video set to private. Is anyone able to view it now? BTW thanks for the replies so far!!

 

I'm no expert but I'd guess starter

 

Definitely the starter staying engaged. It happens with mine too, both with my original one and a used OEM replacement one.

Another thread discussing it