#1. My 2000 SE has been making a strange whirring noise when I start that lasts for about 1 second. It is NOT the high pitch squeel that a loose belt makes. Any ideas as to what it is? Starter? Ignition coil problem I read about?

#2. Then 2 days ago, I drove it for an hour, stopped for 10 minutes, then it would not start up again. Plenty of power, but the engine would not turn. The next day, I returned to have it towed, but it started up fine. The dealer thinks that the anti theft device no longer recognizes the key as valid. But that doesn't make sense because it hasn't happened again - yet. Thoughts?

Please be gentle, this is my first post. Thanks for any help.

 

this may be a fuel issue. the whirring may be the pump. if your fuel filter is bad you may not be getting adaquate fuel supply, hence the not starting, but that is ussually paired with stalling. the key thing may be true but i would look elseware due to the fact it is so sporadic.

 

#1 is definitely the starter. grease dries up and it makes that sound sometimes.

#2 sounds like it is starter also - when I changed my clutch, I took off my starter that was making the same noise as it appears you have and when I finally put it back in I began having starting problems.

 

There is a write up on how to fix the starter noise. Either in the stickies or www.motorvate.ca