starter noise?

[tallpaul]

My engine makes a strange noise when starting when the engine is cold. What is causing this? Can anyone help me?

[bocat187]

My engine makes a strange noise when starting when the engine is cold. What is causing this? Can anyone help me?
im having the same problem but alot of fords do there

[bocat187]

do that im sorry for miss spelling

[tallpaul]

Don't worry about spelling or grammar. This isn't english class.

[fastblackmerc]

You have to tell us what kind of noise if you want help.

[tallpaul]

Kinda like a grinding noise.

[fastblackmerc]

Kinda like a grinding noise.

Your starter may still be hitting the flywheel after you release the key. Get under your MM (use proper safety procedures / safety devices), remove the inspection cover on the bell housing and see if the flywheel teeth are shiny on the outside edge, if they are you need to pull the starter and check the Bendix drive as it may need to be replaced or the entire starter may need replacing.

[Ktorres1]

I got the same noise, only on cold start up's and goes away on warm start up's! Also in WOT at 90 mph goin into third gear, my car will make a slight squeak while the changing of gear? I'm stumped, any clue??

[fastblackmerc]

I got the same noise, only on cold start up's and goes away on warm start up's! Also in WOT at 90 mph goin into third gear, my car will make a slight squeak while the changing of gear? I'm stumped, any clue??

The noise at cold startup may be valve train / cam chain noise.

The chirp when changing gears could be the serpentine belt (get a Gatorback replacement) or the hood adjustment.

[Ktorres1]

I just recently got a brand new gates serpentine belt from napa, how do I go about fixing the other start up possibilities?

[Blackened300a]

I got the same noise, only on cold start up's and goes away on warm start up's! Also in WOT at 90 mph goin into third gear, my car will make a slight squeak while the changing of gear? I'm stumped, any clue??

The cold start up rattle is the starter. A few members including myself have had this problem. It will only do it on the initial startup and then it will be fine the rest of the day. There is a vid on youtube somewhere of the noise, Im sure someone will post it up.
The chirp you hear is the belt. I had that noise as well with a hard shift and a new belt took care of that.
Both issues are minor and common.

[justbob]

That would be my video. If this is the sound, then you have a very small piece of magnet rolling around inside the starter, easy to tear apart and remove. After I removed mine a year ago, things are still nice and quiet.
pg53cOXBnk0

[Ktorres1]

I could not watch the video, it said file could not be found but I just recently installed a new gates serpentine belt so do I need a new starter? If so how much and where to get a good one?

[justbob]

Try this?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg53cOXBnk0


Starters can be bought anywhere. I never replaced mine, I just took it apart, took out the piece of magnet that was floating around inside, regreased, and reinstalled.

[dakslim]

I was getting a kind of chirp on start up so replaced the idler bearing, it was bad, and installed a new serpentine belt. I still hear the chirp from time to time even during normal driving.

[2003 Merc'em]

I just had my starter replaced due to having the same problem. It was only making the sound on cold starts. I took it in to the dealer they first told me it was the ICV (idle control valve) so I paid the $100 deductable and they replaced it. Two days later the it made the noise again. After seeing the you tube clip on this site, I went to the dealer prepared. I spoke to the supervisor and had them replace the starter and not extra charge. No more noise!

[GetMeMyStogie]

Also in WOT at 90 mph goin into third gear, my car will make a slight squeak while the changing of gear? I'm stumped, any clue??

Could also be that the alternator clutch pulley is seized, or has been replaced with a regular pulley. Remove the belt, grab hold of the alternator pulley and twist it back and forth. In one direction, you should be able to turn the armature inside the alternator. In the other direction, the pulley should more-or-less freewheel.

[Richy04]

Mine makes the noise when cold on start up, waiting for some warmer weather as it is coming from the starter. It appears to be the bushing is dry and when its warm it doesn't make the sound.

[Ktorres1]

Getmemystogie, what do I do if I find the alternator clutch pulley is seized?

[2vmodular]

for those of you wondering what's inside your starter, here's a link to a bunch of pictures of a crownvic starter that i disassembled:

http://www.p71interceptor.com/starter/disassembled

http://www.p71interceptor.com/starter/disassembled/PICT6527-vi.jpg

[justbob]

Guys, if the noise in my video is your noise (like most are), you simply just open the case, dump out the tiny magnet chunk rattling around and put it back together. It will take you three times longer to R&I the starter than it will to fix it. Mine is still perfect after a year now.

[2vmodular]

if you're going to remove the starter motor, you might want to purchase some new starter bolts ahead of time. these have a habit of getting damaged when you remove them.

http://www.p71interceptor.com/starter/removereinstall/boltPICT8249-vi.jpg

http://www.p71interceptor.com/starter/removereinstall/boltPICT8257-vi.jpg

[fastblackmerc]

Getmemystogie, what do I do if I find the alternator clutch pulley is seized?

Get a new alternator or pulley.

A local alternator shop should be able to help you out.