Engine Start up Screech! Help!
 

Hi,

My 2003 4.4i has been making a very loud screech/grinding noise upon start up. It only makes this noise during start up and runs fine with no noises after. I uploaded a video of the noise here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlT6...ature=youtu.be

The first start in the video sounds normal and the second sounds like something is grinding. Other times the noise is a very loud screech.

Thanks!

Starter sticky and not disengaging? Is it consistent or random? I'd start with diagnosing the starter :)

I am not sure what you mean by the starter being sticky. The car turns on just fine if that is what you mean. The noise does not occur every time I start it up but most times recently. It used to only make the noise once in a while. How do you diagnose the starter? Could it be a belt or pulley?

Sounds like the starter to me. I had this issue with my 2003 540i and at first it was intermittent then it will get progressively worse. It has to do with the starter not being able to disengage once the car is running. From what I remember reading on another forum you want to get it fixed quickly to avoid any additional damage. Some people did talk about replacing something (spring?) on the starter but for me it was just easier to replace it and be done with it.

I would say definitely starter! Mine was doing it when I bought it, I replaced the whole thing, no problems since.

When the starter fires, its gear extends, engages with the flywheel, gets things cranked and then retracts. If that gear doesn't retract fast enough or at all, it'll remain engaged with the flywheel. I've personally had sticky starters that wouldn't engage at all but a whack freed them up. As the other guys have weighed in too, it's likely the starter.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I just bought a starter online and will install it this week. I will let you know if it solves it.

Starter solenoid going south.