Screech when starting

[ern-diz]

Hey guys -

Occasionally when I start my '07 hatchback, I get a grinding sound for a fraction of a second after the car starts. Happens mainly on the first, cold start of the day and then doesn't typically happen again. Not always, but happening more lately. Link to video below. Your thoughts are appreciated.

https://youtu.be/gSGKUFNL0kE

[NEexpat]

I'm just guessing here but have you checked serpentine belt?

It could be time for a new one.

[WeeYari]

Ya, it's the belt. A more successful search would include the word 'squeal'.

[ern-diz]

Thanks for the replies.

Would the serpentine belt make a similar squeal sound as most belts do when they get old? The sound I'm hearing is not that higher pitch squeal you typically hear from a bad belt. It's much more of a crunching screech. Like I said, if you've ever not realized a car was running and turned the key, it sounds more like that. A crunchy screech, more than a higher pitch squeal.

If it is the belt, could it have gotten bad/dry just from the 8 yrs of exposure? I ask because the car only has 62k miles on it.

[WeeYari]

If it is the belt, could it have gotten bad/dry just from the 8 yrs of exposure? I ask because the car only has 62k miles on it.

Yes. Like any rubber product, time does deteriorate them. It may also be just fine, but needs to have the tension adjusted, but I'm betting on age.

Type of sound aside, which can be subjective when it comes to describing it, the timing of the offending sound does indicate that the serpentine is the source.

[ern-diz]

Yes. Like any rubber product, time does deteriorate them. It may also be just fine, but needs to have the tension adjusted, but I'm betting on age.

Type of sound aside, which can be subjective when it comes to describing it, the timing of the offending sound does indicate that the serpentine is the source.

Gotcha. Thanks again for the info.

Is it something you would trust a good local mechanic with looking at, or should I have Toyota take a look at it on my next service appt.?

[ern-diz]

Got a video of it.

If you turn the volume up, you can hear it right as the car starts up. Really short, abrasive sound. Not the typical, high pitch squeal you get with bad belts, but then again, what do I know?

[WeeYari]

Well that is not a belt.

[LTHatch]

Ern-diz: Do you have anyone who can start the car while you pin point the noise under the hood? You'll get a better idea what it can be by where the noise is coming from.

[Bluevitz-rs]

It may be the starter gear not retracting fast enough.

[ern-diz]

It may be the starter gear not retracting fast enough.

This makes a lot of sense to me because again, the sound reminds me of what you hear when you absentmindedly go to start a car that's already running.

If that's the case, what's the fix? New starter?

[Bluevitz-rs]

Well the starter comes off pretty easy, so you could pull it out and check it out first. Or get a re-manufactured starter that you could have on hand and return if it's not actually needed. The starter might just need to be cleaned or lubed.

[ern-diz]

Well the starter comes off pretty easy, so you could pull it out and check it out first. Or get a re-manufactured starter that you could have on hand and return if it's not actually needed. The starter might just need to be cleaned or lubed.

Gotcha.

Thanks for the info.

[ern-diz]

Got a better video. Plan on mentioning to service advisor at next service, but your input is valued. Wondering if I should even wait until next service, or get it in sooner. I'm not mechanically inclined enough to tell, but my sisters boyfriend manages a Firestone and didn't think it was the starter. I couldn't get it to make the sound for him, but he saw the video. Thanks in advance.

https://youtu.be/gSGKUFNL0kE

[CTScott]

I does sound like the starter solenoid is sticking and the starter gear is staying engaged too long.

[ern-diz]

Okay, thanks for the feedback.

Something I should have looked at sooner than later?

[CTScott]

Okay, thanks for the feedback.

Something I should have looked at sooner than later?

Yes. Replacing the starter now is far easier/cheaper than replacing the damaged flywheel later.

[bairjo]

Screech when starting....

56222

[ern-diz]

Screech when starting....

56222

lmao

[harda toenail]

My wife's 09 vibe is doing this exact thing. Going to pull the starter and take a look

[harda toenail]

Just out of curiosity- do you bump your key forward and let go to let the car start itself, or do you hold the key forward until the car starts?

[ern-diz]

Just out of curiosity- do you bump your key forward and let go to let the car start itself, or do you hold the key forward until the car starts?

I usually hold the key until the car starts, but not a moment longer, so I'm 100% sure I'm not holding too long (if that's what you're wondering).

I've never read about it anywhere, but are we just supposed to click the key once and let these cars start themselves?

[WeeYari]

I've never read about it anywhere, but are we just supposed to click the key once and let these cars start themselves?


Yes. There is no need to hold the key until the engine catches. Just turn to start the crank, then let go. I call it twist and release.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scoobopdan]

Not sure if this helps, but I had a similar sounding issue with my 08 yaris. Right after the last turn over, when the car started, it would make a weird scratching/squealing noise. Turned out my starter was going and the brushes were rubbing against each other.

[ern-diz]

Yes. There is no need to hold the key until the engine catches. Just turn to start the crank, then let go. I call it twist and release.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Okay, good to know, thanks. I realized it worked that way, but thought it wasn't the proper thing to do and worried about premature wear doing it that way.

Not sure if this helps, but I had a similar sounding issue with my 08 yaris. Right after the last turn over, when the car started, it would make a weird scratching/squealing noise. Turned out my starter was going and the brushes were rubbing against each other.

It does help; it's what I've been suspecting all along. Thanks for the feedback.

[ern-diz]

She's in at Toyota. Hopefully she makes the sound in the morning so they can diagnose and I'll have an update on what's causing it...

[sarap]

i noticed my high pitched (quick) squeal at starts too, not so much the starter one, however i did notice today that it seemed to takw the car a few more cranks to turnover than when i first go the car? im going to try the twist method. hopefully if its the starter, it wont be too expensive.

[ern-diz]

i noticed my high pitched (quick) squeal at starts too, not so much the starter one, however i did notice today that it seemed to takw the car a few more cranks to turnover than when i first go the car? im going to try the twist method. hopefully if its the starter, it wont be too expensive.

Yeah, I worded the title of this thread incorrectly. A high pitch screech or squeal would most likely be a belt and easily identified.

I'm getting a grinding noise for about a second after it actually turns over. Only on the first, cold start of the day, and not 100% of the time. Service advisers at Toyota mentioned everything from starter, to a variety of bearings/pulleys, to the possibility of oil not getting to places it needs to quickly enough. I hope it made the sound today so they can get to the bottom of it. Also hoping the fact that it only happens once a day doesn't prevent them from being able to figure it out.

[ern-diz]

So, Toyota couldn't duplicate the grinding on start issue this morning, but they did find that my water pump is leaking, leaked onto the drive belt, and my driver side axle seal on the transmission is leaking. They would like to charge me $537 for the pump/drive belt and $336 for the axle seal :eek:

Needless to say, I have quotes from 3 local shops that are half that for OEM parts, labor and warranty. Hopefully the shop I go with will also be able to get to the bottom of the grinding issue I took it to Toyota for to begin with...

[tmontague]

hmm, I'm surprised about the axle seal, they're are not know to go in the Yaris to my knowledge. The wp was a matter of time.

Do them both yourself for less than $50 and a days work. I can't believe they were going to charge you $900 for both. Both those jobs are relatively straight forward as lon as you have the tools to do so.

If I were you I'd pick up an extra started so when yours eventually goes you have another your can just bolt into place. I think it's likely your starter going, but if it's working leave it for now.

[ern-diz]

hmm, I'm surprised about the axle seal, they're are not know to go in the Yaris to my knowledge. The wp was a matter of time.

Do them both yourself for less than $50 and a days work. I can't believe they were going to charge you $900 for both. Both those jobs are relatively straight forward as lon as you have the tools to do so.

If I were you I'd pick up an extra started so when yours eventually goes you have another your can just bolt into place. I think it's likely your starter going, but if it's working leave it for now.

Thanks, T.

I'm not nearly handy enough with automotive stuff to do the jobs myself. My skill set ends at oil changes and fluid top off's lol. I found a highly Yelp rated shop in the city I live in that uses new OEM parts, offers a nationwide 2 yr / 24k mile warranty and is doing everything for $450 out the door. Literally less than half of what Toyota would have taken me for. They're going to make sure the work actually needs to be done, so we'll see about that axle seal.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the car will make the grinding noise when they fire it up today. I'd like to get it all done at the same time, if I can.

[ern-diz]

Little update...

Local auto shop finished up the work yesterday. They were able to replicate the sound and believed it was the blades in the failing water pump. I've had the car back for a day and it didn't do the sound when I started it up today, but I won't call it resolved until I've had the car for a week or so without hearing it.

They also confirmed the drivers side axle seal was in fact leaking a little.

[sarap]

nice! im glad u were able to save some mula ! more money for more parts ;)

[ern-diz]

EDIT: aaaand I spoke too soon. Just as I was satisfied that the noise was the water pump, it did it again this morning. Back to the drawing board aka mechanic for diagnosing.

[sarap]

Damnnnn

[jack black]

could it be one of those common toyota VVT start up noises? plenty of examples on the tube.

[ern-diz]

could it be one of those common toyota VVT start up noises? plenty of examples on the tube.

Replied in the other thread, but in short, my mechanic doesn't think so.