General Intermittent screech when starting.

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General Intermittent screech when starting.

CraigUK74

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Oct 29, 2019
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Morning guys and girls, every now and them we get a little screech from the starter motor (Just after the car has started) it can go for weeks without doing it then it just randomly comes back. The car starts perfectly fine 1st turn of the key. Anything to worry about or can I spray a little WD40 on it.

Appreciate your help people, thanks all for looking [emoji106]
 
Are you sure it's not the auxiliary drive belt? This is the most common cause of screeching when starting from cold, and happens because of the extra load on the alternator replacing what was taken from the battery to start the car. Either a loose or a worn belt can cause this.

If you're going to spray it, avoid WD40 as it can damage some types of rubber and plastic; also it leaves a residue which attracts dust, ultimately making the problem worse.

Use a belt lubricant instead.

If spraying near the starter motor, use silicone spray, which won't hurt any rubber components and is electrically safe.
 
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Thanks for the reply, it's more of a screech than a squeak, but I never thought of the aux belt. I will take a look later. From what I remember the belt looks new but may be loose like you said. Weird as it only happens every now and again. Appreciate your advice, thanks again for your advice.
 
Funny that our 09 Lounge when we brought it in October had been sitting in the owners drive for months not being used, it did it more often then (Damp weather) thinking about it it normally dose it if it's been sat over the weekend. Hasn't done it for a while maybe cause of the weather is kind of getting better.

You said it could be the starter cog on the shaft, is that the starter motor? If so is it going to get worse over time.

Thanks for the help and advice guys.
Our 09 does this too randomly and you're right hasn't done it for a while the weather seems to play a role, have just left it, suspect it's the starter gear cog on the shaft
 
Most likely the belt slipping especially when it damp outside if it’s stretched and is a bit loose. The belts are less than a tenner.
[emoji106] I'm gonna get a mate of mine to check it out, guessing there a pain in the bum to change? Thanks for the advise.
 
[emoji106] I'm gonna get a mate of mine to check it out, guessing there a pain in the bum to change? Thanks for the advise.

Ours is definitely the starter the belt's been replaced
Starter will be fine just the cog slides on a shaft without a bearing so it can become "dry" a makes a noise
 
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