When i start my car it makes a high pitched, metal sort of grinding noise. It would also hesitate to start up and sometimes takes a while to start up. Im not sure if its the starter or my alternator, whatever the case im also replacing my alternator because once i rev it up, rpms go below 1k and lights get dim. My main question is, do i need a new starter? thanks.

 

do an avr test ... this will verify your alternator problems...If your car starts ok without much hesitation... then the starter should be ok... as for the grinding noise. set the car up on a hoist, take a long pry bar, tell a bud to start er up, u should hear the noise. put one end of the bar on the alternator & the other on u'r ear... do the same with the starter

 

The thing is that the car starts fine usually, but i remember on 2 occassions that it hesitated before i could start it up. whats an avr test, and what am i listening for?

 

THe avr test tests your alternator. Test your battery first. listen for grinding noises