Grinding Noise on start up

[STeeLy]

This has happened numerous times and I haven't exactly thought much of it until now.

Whenever I turn over my engine with the key at Start/Ignite, many times I will hear this noise that sounds like metal grinding and as soon as the key is back to the ON position, the engine started and the noise is gone.

Will it be a problem, or is it a regular occurence?

[Flagrum_3]

This has happened numerous times and I haven't exactly thought much of it until now.

Whenever I turn over my engine with the key at Start/Ignite, many times I will hear this noise that sounds like metal grinding and as soon as the key is back to the ON position, the engine started and the noise is gone.

Will it be a problem, or is it a regular occurence?

Starters probably shot, dealer time!


_3

[sas]

What means "many times"?
May be you discharging accumulator and starter's solenoid
have no force to work properly.

[STeeLy]

Starters probably shot, dealer time!


_3

If the starter is shot... then should my engine NOT turn over...

my engine starts perfectly fine... other than the grinding noise I sometimes get.

[kevcol74]

Solenoid may be engaging properly, but not disengaging (sticking), making your starter gear remain enganged after the engine is going. This sound is usually the starter gear and the flywheel fighting to mate gears, but when both are turning, you get the grinding. Likely its the starter going bad, and as Flagrum said, time to go see the dealer if its under warranty!

[Thrizzl3]

i get that sound too but its only if i hold the key in the start engine position after the engine has started..i dont have any problems with that though unless it gets serious then ill take it to the dealer to find out whats wrong

[STeeLy]

phil, I was thinking that too... but I'm wondering if it'll become a bigger problem

[Flagrum_3]

i get that sound too but its only if i hold the key in the start engine position after the engine has started..i dont have any problems with that though unless it gets serious then ill take it to the dealer to find out whats wrong

Why are you holding the key in the start position after the engine starts running?...That's a good way to destroy your starter!

Steely, Kevcol explained it quite well as to what might be happening and if you guys are holding it in the start position, it explains the cause!


_3

[kevcol74]

It should take only a couple turns of the engine to catch, a few more maybe in the cold. Onece it does, LET GO! lol If the key itself is not returning, its your ignition switch. Even so, if your holding the key for a second or 2 after it starts, the gears are still in sync, there should be a sound of the starter going, but not grinding. If you try and start the car when its already running, you will hear a godawful grind, like fingernails on a chalk board!
Chances are, its the starter or ignition switch. If not, better get the operator checked out!:chuckle

[STeeLy]

Why are you holding the key in the start position after the engine starts running?...That's a good way to destroy your starter!

Steely, Kevcol explained it quite well as to what might be happening and if you guys are holding it the start position, it explains the cause!


_3

I'm not holding it in the start position. As soon as I hear the engine go I let it back to the ON position... and it's during that short period of the engine starting that I hear the grinding noise. And if I'm ever unsure if I started my car yet, I will always turn it off and restart so I don't wreck...

I'll probably end up hitting a dealership and have them check it out. Probably the best idea.

[kevcol74]

Just make sure its consistent, nothing worse than going to the dealer for an issue they can't find, then forking over some $$ for nothing! Good luck STeeLy, how you get er solved!

[Flagrum_3]

I'll probably end up hitting a dealership and have them check it out. Probably the best idea.

Good idea, let us know what the prognosis was?


_3

[STeeLy]

Just make sure its consistent, nothing worse than going to the dealer for an issue they can't find, then forking over some $$ for nothing! Good luck STeeLy, how you get er solved!

Hopefully, if there is a problem, it could be covered under warranty.

[Thrizzl3]

Why are you holding the key in the start position after the engine starts running?...That's a good way to destroy your starter!

Steely, Kevcol explained it quite well as to what might be happening and if you guys are holding it in the start position, it explains the cause!


_3

i dont..its just that split second after the engine starts that it makes that sound

[Noisy Crow]

I'm not holding it in the start position. As soon as I hear the engine go I let it back to the ON position... and it's during that short period of the engine starting that I hear the grinding noise. And if I'm ever unsure if I started my car yet, I will always turn it off and restart so I don't wreck...

I'll probably end up hitting a dealership and have them check it out. Probably the best idea.

It does sound like your starter is on the way out. Don't forget... the starter has enough oompf turn over an engine in the dead of winter... so it has plenty of power to shred bits of it's own mechanism and still be able to start the engine. At least until what ever is being shredded fails or jams completely.

Also keep in mind the business end of the starter lives in the same enclosure as your clutch... if the starter manages shed bits of itself into your clutch you won't be at all happy!

[Jeff0]

I have this sound too from the very start, I also heard form other mazda3 same sound when he started his car, I think it's normal. Try listen the first sound when you start your engine, that's the sound you hear like a high pitch.

[kevcol74]

Maybe you guys can hear the drive gear still spinning as it retracts back into the starter.... "normal" sound...

[Thrizzl3]

it didnt happen this morning when i started it lol i guess i should be wide awake wen i start my car

[MajesticBlueNTO]

the starter on the automatic tranny mazda3's have a grinding sound right after the engine catches, compared to the manual tranny mazda3's that don't

that *may* be what you're hearing...if you have an automatic, it's normal (if not excessive grinding)... if you have a manual, it's not normal.

[Thrizzl3]

the starter on the automatic tranny mazda3's have a grinding sound right after the engine catches, compared to the manual tranny mazda3's that don't

that *may* be what you're hearing...if you have an automatic, it's normal (if not excessive grinding)... if you have a manual, it's not normal.

mine is auto so im in the clear?

[Jeff0]

the starter on the automatic tranny mazda3's have a grinding sound right after the engine catches, compared to the manual tranny mazda3's that don't

that *may* be what you're hearing...if you have an automatic, it's normal (if not excessive grinding)... if you have a manual, it's not normal.

Yes I have the AT, so that's sound comes from starter or form the other parts?

[06Touring3]

at the very least have it looked at. grinding noises shouldn't be ignored

[CanSpeed 3]

its your flywheel.

[kevcol74]

its your flywheel.

Very unlikely, the flywheel teeth are always harder than the starter's for the simple fact that its cheaper to replace a starter than a flywheel. You will rip the teeth right off the starter before you do any major damage to the flywheel in most cases.

[Flagrum_3]

the starter on the automatic tranny mazda3's have a grinding sound right after the engine catches, compared to the manual tranny mazda3's that don't

that *may* be what you're hearing...if you have an automatic, it's normal (if not excessive grinding)... if you have a manual, it's not normal.

I've heard what your talking about M, but it's more of a metallic 'zzzing' sound on the automatic models and seems to be normal :loco, but I wouldn't call it a grinding sound....so Steely a sound clip might be useful in this case.


_3

[CanSpeed 3]

Just saw a protege in the shop with the exact same problem. Everytime the car started there was a LOUD griding for about 2 seconds then it was fine. They found the problem in the fly wheel.

[Flagrum_3]

Just saw a protege in the shop with the exact same problem. Everytime the car started there was a LOUD griding for about 2 seconds then it was fine. They found the problem in the fly wheel.

Well it's quite possible considering you mentioned your previous starter went south, it's possible the last starter farked up the teeth on the flywheel!...but just speculating :)


_3

[STeeLy]

I've heard what your talking about M, but it's more of a metallic 'zzzing' sound on the automatic models and seems to be normal :loco, but I wouldn't call it a grinding sound....so Steely a sound clip might be useful in this case.


_3
Actually Flagrum... that is exactly what it is... Which... actually sounds like a grinding noise to me... and I drive an Automatic...

In any case, I've booked an appointment with MoT for Friday morning (Down in T.O. for the thanksgiving weekend) just in case that it IS a problem.

[STeeLy]

Update:

I brought the car in and the tech came out and I turned over the engine over for him to hear. Apparently, it is normal for the 3 to have that noise because there isn't a lot of sound proof material around the starter bearing... he even took me over to his car (2004 Mazda 3) and started it just to let me hear the noise. I'm quite relieved now.