I have 120k and never had anything major go wrong with the car - it's the best car I've ever owned. I ended up changing the oil, but didn't start the car afterwards. In the morning when I did start the car, it took three or four tries and there was a strange noise. I check to see if there was an oil leak, but there was not even a drop. After the car started, it drove fine. Since then, it has happened twice. What happens is this: I start the car as normal but for 1-2 seconds, there is an additional buzz then it stops. I've never heard this noise before and searched the forum, but didn't find anything. Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks in advance!

 

Can you tell where the noise is coming from???

I've had a bad idler pulley that made a groing noise before. You might want to look into that.

 

my car does it.. ... it gives off a horrible 2 or 3 second screeeech right after ignition.. and then it goes away.. is yours a screech or more of a vibrating buzz?

 

t0p_sh0tta - Thanks for the input, I'll take a look but I'm starting to wonder if it's the starter. I read in some other posts of people regreasing something in the starter and resolved the issue. I'm more of a backyard tinker-er and have to admit that I've never worked on a starter before.

midnight0045 - Mine gives more of a screech. It reminds me of the noise the starter makes when you try and start a running car. Did your just start this? How long ago?

 

A "buzz" could be anything. Maybe you can record it so we can hear it? I "believe" the car has hydraulic valve lifters (no valve adjustment needed-an experienced engine poster can confirm this) and they have to be "pumped up" at startup. Sometimes it takes an extra second for them to operate normally upon startup, especially if the car has sat for a while.

 

Probably fuel pump.

 

I have some "buzz" right after the startup. I know it's a starter - bendix doesn't pull of the gear after engine start right away, so the gears are rattling. I'm not doing anything to it yet - once it fails I'll replace the starter.

 

Donkey whine sound?

 

yeah thats definately the starter

 

not the fuel pump since it is in the back. could be the starter since you say it takes longer to start. i would also do an Auto-rx cleaning since it sounds like possible cold-start symptoms. when you did the oil change, what grade oil did you use? now that is is getting a little colder it is possible that it is too thick (and a dirty/sludge filled engine makes that even worse.)

 

I put in 10-30 because I didn't have 5w-30. I am religious about changing the oil and filter every 3000. After the car starts, it runs fine. The sound is lasting longer when I just started it today. Again, it sounds like the noise is from the starter not disengaging. I don't know too much about starters, but I'm speculating that the solenoid is not retracting immediatly after it starts. Any idea how long I have? I've never had a problem with the starter and I have the trifecta to contend with: Work, night school and Thanksgiving X-)

Thanks!

 

i wouldnt risk "how long" unless you travel with a long pole and a hammer if it locks up on you. rebuilt starters are cheap here in nyc (not sure how far that is from Springfield) so if you need one le me know and i can direct you to the shops that do the actual rebuilding for the retailers.

 

2da mizzax - Check ur private messages - THANKS!

 

regease ur starter ... and then let us know if that helps .... follow my sig links ...

 

i get a wierd humm and a couple of sounds at startup also..... QUESTION sumtimes it takes a couple of times to start sumtimes it doesn't do that at all i just changed my starter in july does anybody got a clue anybody live close so that maybe they can see it or hear it???

 

i have the EXACT same thing wrong with my 97 se. so if/when u figure out the problem...lemme know too