About a second after I start the car, i hear an unusual sound. the sound lasts for about 1/2 a second and is originating from under the hood. it sounds like a short, high-pitched buzz. has anyone experienced this?

thanks for any suggestions.

 

Go to http://www.motorvate.ca/
Scroll down the right hand window until you see Starter Noise Fix.
Click on that.
Read all about it.

This is an excellent site for the home mechanic. You may enjoy browsing it.

 

Yes I got the same thing. I was advised to check the EGR Valve, but haven't done so yet.

 

thanks very much, the site is nice. i am indeed attempting to become the home mechanic--i just have so far to go..

 

I think that I had this problem last winter. It was the solinoid on my starter. It had gotten oil or dirt or something on it and the starter would not shut off after starting the car. It would only buzz for just a second and shut off. I think there are two options, get under the car and remove the starter and clean the solinoid or install a new starter. If you take it to a shop, you might as well get a new starter, because any shop would rape you just to get under the car to remove the starter in the first place. The dealership charged me about $400 for a new starter and install time. Good luck

 

The 4Gen Maxima starter is accessed from under the hood but above the engine. No need to raise the car or get underneath. For more information see http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/starter.html

 

My car makes the same noise, but only when the engine is stone-cold first thing in the morning. It only lasts for a fraction of a second; it almost sounds as though the starter isn't "letting go" right away when I release the key. It doesn't do this when I leave work at the end of the day, even though the engine hasn't been run in 8 hours. It's only when the car has been sitting overnight.

Is this anything to worry about? It seems kind of silly to replace a starter just because of a brief noise once a day. Or is this a sign that I'm going to have to replace the starter soon anyway, only not at my convenience? :-)