I sometimes hear a tick/screech noise coming from under the steering column, but I am not sure if its in the engine back or in the cabin..This sound occurs when i am cranking the car...

anyways, when this sound occurs the car either doesn't crank at all, or if it does it is a very weak crank...

when the car doesn't crank after this ticking/screech occurs while trying to crank the car..I can crank the car after a few seconds...

very strange and I am not sure what this is from...

Notice it in the cold more so then in the hot weather..