98 CRV with 99-01 JDM B20.

5 speed transmission.

Okay so it just got cold as hell out this week and now when i go to start my CRV up from a dead cold start it makes a weird grinding noise for about a 1-2 seconds after the engine has turned over.

The sound from inside the car seems to resemble the sound that a starter makes when you try and start a car that is already running. You know that soft crunchy metal on metal grinding noise?


Anyways it's concerning to say the least and I'm wondering if you guys might have experienced this before or if it could be something else?

I need to get out there and pop the hood and have a friend start it for me so I can better pin point the source of the sound. It doesn't happen once the car is warm which is weird. So if I run to the store and come back out it won't do it but if the car sits overnight or for a few hours it does it.

It didn't do it all summer long and only seems to do it now that it's colder than a well diggers *** outside.

 

Sounds like the the starter may be freezing up and staying engaged after the engine is started.

 

was thinking the same thing ^

 

got any idea what I should do about that?

 

mine started doing the same thing on really cold mornings

 

almost like a high pitched whistle?? my car makes that noise.

 

Not a whistle... grinding noise mine does the same thing in colder weather.. chucking it up to starter taking a ****.

 

mine sounds more like a whistle. or maybe its the same thing tomorrow when i start my car ill try taking a video

 

mine makes the starter grinding noise. The gear isnt retracting fast enough from the flywheel. You can either replace the whole starter, or take yours out and grease the shaft the pinion gear rides on

 

glad I'm not the only one. I'll try taking it out and greasing the shaft (sounds dirty).

do you think the solenoid is just being crappy? can you replace just the solenoid?


I'll do whatever to avoid getting a whole new starter that's for sure.

It was super cold again this morning but very damp out and it didn't stick. seems to only be on dry & cold days.

 

Mine makes the same noise when doing the first start in the morning in cold weather. It is definitely coming from the starter. Mine has been doing it for the last few seasons with no issues so far.

 

I am so glad I am not the only one with this issue! This morning I was thinking it was the starter as well.

 

Mine just started this a couple days ago. Luckily my neighbor is a starter/alternator rebuilder. I'll hand it to him along with a 6 pack of natty light and he will give it back like new.

 

Try spraying WD40 over the whole thing and greasing that shaft...with an appropriate low temp grease! Check the teeth for wear and the fit of the cogwheel on the shaft.

 

Its the damn starter on my ride been fine for the past two weeks so i know the flywheel is good.. ima have to replace it when it gets warmer again.

 

Mine has same issue.. And like you'll also only in very cold mornings.

 

There is a gear box in the nose. It gets lubed with molybdenum grease as does the gear on the tip. ( from the shop manual)

 

Same thing here I was wondering if my starter was going bad..

 

Sorry to bring back an old post, but I have some new info that may be useful to some.

It's been an abnormally cold winter here so far, and the grinding cold start noise was occurring more and more. Finally took the poor starter out last night to give it a look over. As expected, all the grease has pretty much dried up during its last 15 years of service. I Cleaned it up (filled with tons of carbon dust), verified brushes and other interior parts were OK, and most importantly relubricated every thing with moly grease per the factory shop manual.

Put it back into the car, and it works just like new! No more noises, and it even turns over faster.

Just took a few hours of work and 4 bucks worth of grease. Save yourself some money and give it a shot before replacing it completely.

 

It's really helpful. My accord recently started rattling cold start in cold temperature. Will give this a shot. Much appreciated. Thanks for sharing this.

 

did you get your accord starting with this ??

 

The starter grinding on my 2011 crv sounds like it is gear teeth slipping between the flywheel and starter.... But I'm going to give your moly grease method a try. Can you explain a bit more of where the grease goes? Did you disassemble the starter? What manual shows this grease procedure? Thanks!