Technical Squeal/grinding sound when starting engine.

[evoyce]

Hey! So I’ve had my fiat 500 pop 2010 for almost 6 years. Recently it’s started to make a squeal/grinding sound when I start up the engine. The engine starts fine and still drives well but I’m just wondering if it’s going to cause a larger problem as I’ve got a long drive in a weeks time! I found this YouTube video that shows the same noise that my car is making. Anyone have any idea what it is??

The URL for the video is

Thanks in advance!

 

[Yolanda]

Sounds like the starter motor to me. I would remove it and try to lubricate it To do it properly it would need to be stripped down.

 

[bugsymike]

I have had similar on a Vauxhall Corsa caused by a faulty ignition switch, it burnt out the starter motor so it needed the switch and the starter.
However just to be sure I would listen with bonnet open to locate the source of the noise. In some cases you can feel the noise by resting your hand on the part, starter or what ever as the key is turned.
Providing you can do it safely.
As @Yolanda says the starter bearings can be the cause on their own.

 

[John202020]

If it's only at the point of start up it's probably fine ours does it sometimes when it gets cold

 

[varesecrazy]

It COULD also be a sign of a poor power supply to the Starter..

But.. Once it's started will have no effect on running for your trip

(and a decent run may be good for the battery.. And improve things)

IF the battery has been with you for 6 years.. That could well be getting 'tired'..

Ask on here about replacement time

 

[John202020]

Just listened to the video, it's exactly the same as ours, I'm pretty sure it's a dry shaft and it's the starter pawl(cog) spinning after disengaging from the flywheel, ours does it on and off for several years typically when it's colder our car is a 09
Wouldn't worry just noisy

 

[steveras57]

Sounds like the starter motor shaft/engagement pinion binding slightly and thus not disconecting properly until the shaft spins fast enough for inertia to fling it out/ away from the starter pinion!.
If you can whip the starter off and lubricate sparingly with a little copper grease or the like! it could also be the carbon brushes binding up on the commutator that being the case a replacement starter is the best bet!

 

[evoyce]

It COULD also be a sign of a poor power supply to the Starter..

But.. Once it's started will have no effect on running for your trip

(and a decent run may be good for the battery.. And improve things)

IF the battery has been with you for 6 years.. That could well be getting 'tired'..

Ask on here about replacement time

Hey! Thanks for the reply, got my battery changed in feb this year so I’d have been surprised if it had anything to do with that! Cheers.

 

[evoyce]

Just listened to the video, it's exactly the same as ours, I'm pretty sure it's a dry shaft and it's the starter pawl(cog) spinning after disengaging from the flywheel, ours does it on and off for several years typically when it's colder our car is a 09
Wouldn't worry just noisy

Hey! Thanks for the reply! Yeah I’ve been wondering if it’s started happening because of the cold weather! That’s really helpful thank you!

 

[evoyce]

Sounds like the starter motor shaft/engagement pinion binding slightly and thus not disconecting properly until the shaft spins fast enough for inertia to fling it out/ away from the starter pinion!.
If you can whip the starter off and lubricate sparingly with a little copper grease or the like! it could also be the carbon brushes binding up on the commutator that being the case a replacement starter is the best bet!

Hey! Thanks for the reply! I’m going to assume it’s best to get it into the garage before my 5 hour tip next Friday then?

 

[varesecrazy]

Hey! Thanks for the reply! I’m going to assume it’s best to get it into the garage before my 5 hour tip next Friday then?

Worth getting it checked..

But as I said.. It won't effect it's driving

You will need the Starter 3 times on that trip .. So less than 1 minute in 5 hours

 

[John202020]

I'd say don't be persuaded into a new starter at £200+ fitted by a garage unless the expense is not an issue, unrelated but has the car had a replacement earth strap on the engine? If it's over 6 years old it will need one

 

[steveras57]

Agreed John!
My reply was based on a 2nd hand starter from e-bay or the like!& fitted by the owner but to be fair i did not make that clear!

 

[vexorg]

Sounds like a sticky starter not disengaging