I have a 5spd manual and I've had this problem occur a few times in the past couple weeks when going to start the car in the morning. I turn the key and I get a sound that sounds pretty much like when you go to turn your car on and its already on. Its like a grinding noise. It will only happen once and then I'll go to turn the key again and it will start fine....What could this be?

 

hey i think my car does the same thing, and then when i try to duplicate it it doesnt work unless the car has been sitting for hours.

 

yeah mines only done it when I've tried starting it in the morning and its only done it a few times so far.

 

I got the same, starter needs to be regreased i heard thats solves the problem i havent done it yet because of the canada winter.

 

Had the same problem. Just changed my starter last week or re-grease it. It will make the noise go away. I decided to just change the starter as it is not expensive.

My problem started a year ago last winter. When the engine is nice and warm, the start up is fine. Just in the 1st morning start up, the grease is all stiff or something and makes that horrible noise.

 

yep my 99 se does the same thing i thing due to solonoid getting stuck.

 

Are you guys sure that this isn't a flywheel with a few missing teeth?

 

i've recently changed ALL the bearing in my tranny (260 000km) and my car did that sound a lot

i've got my starter refurbished, and got a good look at my ring gear....a few teeths got "marks" on them....i filed them a little and not much trouble with since....maybe 1 or two times in two months