It started getting cold here with 20 degree mornings as such, and
now when I go to start my car in the morning...87 Maxima...I get this
scratching noise...
The kind of noise you get when you turn the key the wrong way...
After that I don't get that noise anymore for the rest of the day.

The starter had been replaced with a used one a couple of months
back, so that could have gone bad again...
I was also told that it could be my flywheel...

any ideas on this ?

thanks...

 

We could be having the same problem. I posted "Engine Whine on First Gen." now moved to this forum that sounds alot like your problem. I think it is a good possibility that it is the accessory belt adjuster pulley bearing going out, but I haven't verified this on the car yet. I had this same problem with my 82 Toyota and I replaced the bearing for $6 at the local bearing supply since the dealer wanted $ 75 for the pulley assembly. The guys at the bearing supply can match the bearing numbers and get an exact match or higher grade bearing that should last longer. Of course there is some down-time if you do the match up, since you'll need to pull tensioner out an get the numbers.

I'll check out the car and post the findings.

Perry
87 Maxima
65K miles