noise while starting

[wraithdu]

occasionally, say every 5 to 10 starts, i get this metallic scraping or screeching sound. it's hard to describe, not a belt whine, not a gear grinding, but a loud metallic screech. it happens immediately after the car actually starts, the same time you would turn the key back from the starting position, and only lasts for a fraction of a second. it is not accompanied by any shudders or rattles that can be felt, and does not interfere with the starting of the car. it think it began happening this winter, but i can't really remember when, although it seems to be associated with really cold weather. any ideas?

oh yeah, i'm no mechanic, so any solutions that involve wiring diagrams, taking parts out or off of the car, are probably a bad idea. i do pretty well on my bike, but never really took the car apart. simple stuff i can probably handle (changing plugs - did that today, filters, etc.). --end disclaimer

[Tookie]

Originally Posted by wraithdu

occasionally, say every 5 to 10 starts, i get this metallic scraping or screeching sound. it's hard to describe, not a belt whine, not a gear grinding, but a loud metallic screech. it happens immediately after the car actually starts, the same time you would turn the key back from the starting position, and only lasts for a fraction of a second. it is not accompanied by any shudders or rattles that can be felt, and does not interfere with the starting of the car. it think it began happening this winter, but i can't really remember when, although it seems to be associated with really cold weather. any ideas?

oh yeah, i'm no mechanic, so any solutions that involve wiring diagrams, taking parts out or off of the car, are probably a bad idea. i do pretty well on my bike, but never really took the car apart. simple stuff i can probably handle (changing plugs - did that today, filters, etc.). --end disclaimer

Nothing serious I'd say. Seems you have a worn belt. Sometimes the alternator will make a screeching sound when it kicks into full load on start. I go for an alternator test on this one; cause it's usually a warning sign. Soon as you start next time in cold weather, give the steering wheel a turn right after starting the car. Should help narrow down the possible causes.

Tookie

[wraithdu]

three things then -
1. what kind of alternator test?
2. what is it a warning sign of - belt needs replaced, alternator going bad, etc.?
3. what will turning the wheel while starting do?

thanks, btw

[Tookie]

Just a standard load test for the alt. That means your alt will be required to produce full output for a few secs. Sometimes the unit will "screech" when bearings begin to go bad.
Belts wear and have a tedency to slip when the haven't been used for a bit. You might see there are some belt cogs have shed; or there may be a good coat of hard glaze on the smooth parts. You can try some belt dressing to give the belt some "stick" and prevent slipping. I would advise to use the stuff sparingly; cause its only a delay in a proper fix.
Turning the wheels right after starting might produce some squeal if the pwr steering pump is low on fluid or nor up to snuff. Failing any of the aforementioned causes you should inspect the water pump for wear and tear.
Simplest thing to do is have someone available to look at the engine bay while you crank and start the car.

Tookie

[kuhawk]

On my car the noise would show up at start up and sometimes last longer. It turned out to be the Alternator belt was loose. I have read that the new groove belts need to tight or they scream, the older v belts do not need to be as tight. I would try to tighten the belts first to see if the noise stops.