I have a fiat grande punto 1.4 active sport.. When I start my engine, is will start, but make a screeching/whining noise for a few seconds, but then stops and drives fine etc? It has never not started, sometimes it makes no noise whatsoever and other times it's really bad. I've taken it to a garage and they told me it was a 'lazy starter motor' and wanted to charge me £200... I am taking it to another garage today to see what they think. Does anyone else have this problem/ have any ideas of what it could be? I've heard it could be the fan belt, or I need a new solanoid. (I'm clueless with cars lol) thanks guys!

Possibly the drive belt slipping.

Squealing from the drive belt for a short time after starting the engine can be caused by a faulty or failing battery. Starting an engine can drain the battery so much that the alternator has to work overtime to rechage it. This causes increased magnetism in the windings which can act as a brake on the alternator pulley causing the belt to slip and squeal.

Get the battery tested or replace it with a known good one to test.
.

Davren said:

Possibly the drive belt slipping.

Squealing from the drive belt for a short time after starting the engine can be caused by a faulty or failing battery. Starting an engine can drain the battery so much that the alternator has to work overtime to rechage it. This causes increased magnetism in the windings which can act as a brake on the alternator pulley causing the belt to slip and squeal.

Get the battery tested or replace it with a known good one to test.
.

Click to expand...

I had a similar problem with my car and think this was the problem. The garage said my starter motor was fine.

However after I serviced my car, the noise disappeared. Just to be clear once a week, I would start my car and it would make a screeching noise after the car had started.

Davren said:

Possibly the drive belt slipping.

Squealing from the drive belt for a short time after starting the engine can be caused by a faulty or failing battery. Starting an engine can drain the battery so much that the alternator has to work overtime to rechage it. This causes increased magnetism in the windings which can act as a brake on the alternator pulley causing the belt to slip and squeal.

Get the battery tested or replace it with a known good one to test.
.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the help. I will definitely give it a try!

Mine does this too I've just noticed. Not always, but sometimes. Normally when I'm not expecting it!

Might get it checked in that case!

Most likely cause is alternator belt.
Get it changed and ensure tensioned properly. Without aircon, the belt is probably tensioned by moving the alternator. Needs to be tight enough. Too tight and teh alternator bearings will wear very quickly, too slack and it will continue to squeal.

If existing belt is just loose, renew it. Once it has started slipping, it becomes polished, and will never grip properly again. Continuing to use it will polish the pulley surfaces, and if allowed to continue too long will require new pulleys as 'unpolishing' them is almost impossible.

If you have aircon, it should be an auto tensioner. Make sure it is in good condition and working.

Occasionally the overrun clutch in the starter can squeal as the engine starts, but this will stop immediately the key is released. They will go on for a long time before they seize, but a replacement starter is the best cure if it is that.

Noxide said:

Mine does this too I've just noticed. Not always, but sometimes. Normally when I'm not expecting it!

Might get it checked in that case!

Click to expand...

Took it to a garage yesterday, they said they think it's the starter motor, which will cost a few hundred!! Will let you know the outcome so hopefully that'll give you more of an idea of what the problem is, thanks

Have a look at this site. They are part of EuroCar Parts, but cheaper. Check the home page for discount codes, but check which one you need. I've assumed 1.4 8v, but you may need to start a new search.
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/starter-motor

Also just check what amp hour battery you have fitted, I work at a Fiat dealer and from experience found that if it has a 300 amp hour battery, it will need a slightly bigger battery next one fiat list is a 330 amp hour battery and that alone will stop the starter whirring noise! Hope this is of some help

Please get starter motor serviced,

Had same problem in my car, after servicing problem sorted, just in 800 rs