Starter noise... kinda weird!

[BLS WA Chapter SDMF]

My 2003 KJ is making a weird noise when I first start it. It usually only does it the first time I start it in the morning, but lately it has been doing it a little more. It has been VERY cold here lately. I can only describe the noise as a very brief grinding sound. I turn the key, the starter fires her up no problem.... and it makes a quick .5 second to 1.5 second noise. The sound is worse the colder it is it would seem. Anyone have any idea as to what this could be?

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Normal. They all do it. I forgot what it was though. Sorry.

 

[BLS WA Chapter SDMF]

Normal? Wow. I love my Libby. As long as it's nothing bad, I won't worry too much about it.

 

[JeepJeepster]

I hear it also when its cold out(below 30 at least)..

 

[BLS WA Chapter SDMF]

Mine will do it when it's in the 40's, but not nearly as bad as when it's in the 30's/20's.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

Mine will do it when it's in the 40's, but not nearly as bad as when it's in the 30's/20's.

Just wait until single digits come around. You think your Liberty makes weird noises now... lol3.gif

 

[BLS WA Chapter SDMF]

Mine will do it when it's in the 40's, but not nearly as bad as when it's in the 30's/20's.

Just wait until single digits come around. You think your Liberty makes weird noises now... lol3.gif

... oh lord #-o

 

[2003KJ]

Mine will do it when it's in the 40's, but not nearly as bad as when it's in the 30's/20's.

Just wait until single digits come around. You think your Liberty makes weird noises now... lol3.gif

... oh lord #-o

Yeah ask anybody who lives in an area where it gets to below zero.

Put it this way, your starter will make a noise you never wanna hear again in your life (its worse than starting an already started engine)

Not to mention when you get THAT cold, half the time the engine doesn't warm up before you get to your destination that is relatively far away...it's just that damn cold outside...lol.

 

[JeepJeepster]

The libby does seem to heat up alot faster than most cars Ive been in. Not to sure if that has to do with the cast iron block or what? but it does it in a hurry..

 

[Bennett]

Yea it kinda makes a wine like supercharger.. hehe

 

[hyde]

I hear it also when its cold out(below 30 at least)..

mine does it too, and I was very scared of that, once it even skipped on me and did not start (did not hold at start enough) I know the noise, and after a while It grew on me, i haven't heard it since last winter. Winter is back, will probably hear it. Grrchhh vvvrrnrnnnnnnnnnn

The libby does seem to heat up alot faster than most cars Ive been in

Engine block heater

 

[valvestem]

Startup Noise

It's not the starter motor, it's the power steering pump that makes the cold start noise. The colder it gets the louder it will get. It is normal, and caused by the fluid Chrysler uses in the pump body.

 

[RAYMAN1007]

mien has been doing that just within the past couple days. its kinda like a "slip" when i turn the key and it JUST starts to turn over. i wonder if thats what u guys are talkin about. but its not really loud. but it didnt do it last week when it was like 25* outside. this week is sunny and 40

 

[especko]

last January here in WI it got down below zero with wind chills around 40 below, i didn't have any problems with the jeep starting, kinda had a little noise when it was cold also, but really the only problem that occurred for me was the windshield washer fluid froze.

 

[4Factor]

Re: Startup Noise

It's not the starter motor, it's the power steering pump that makes the cold start noise. The colder it gets the louder it will get. It is normal, and caused by the fluid Chrysler uses in the pump body.

That's sorta what I thought it was. My guess was on the belt slipping a bit. My guess was this... The colder it gets, the more metal shrinks. The pulleys are probably slightly smaller (almost un-measurable) and now the belt can slip ever so slightly.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

but really the only problem that occurred for me was the windshield washer fluid froze.

I hate it when that happens!

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Good day,

Started hearing this same sound 3 day's ago...
I figured I'd do a search first to see if there were other people who had experienced this sound emanating from the starter. (I actually think it's a sticky Bendix due to the cold contracting the flat coil spring or something.)So, I thought I would bring this topic back from the past to see how many have heard this sound this winter.
Sounds like it's a Jeep KJ thing!

Cheers
Ry'

 

[belvedere]

The last couple mornings, it's been -10 to -12F here. The libby is parked outside, though the block heater was plugged in for a couple hours prior to starting. She didn't make any strange noises on startup.

I have also noticed that she heats up faster than other vehicles. Must be the design of the cooling system and/or thermostat.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Good day,

Started hearing this same sound 3 day's ago...
I figured I'd do a search first to see if there were other people who had experienced this sound emanating from the starter. (I actually think it's a sticky Bendix due to the cold contracting the flat coil spring or something.)So, I thought I would bring this topic back from the past to see how many have heard this sound this winter.
Sounds like it's a Jeep KJ thing!

Cheers
Ry'

It's funny but since I first posted this, even though the temperature isn't that cold I plugged in the block heater when we get home in the early evening and then when we start 'er up the next day, there is no more noise from the starter motor. Not to mention the KJ warms up in no time.

 

[jggv98]

i have the same noise from the starter motor, quick .5 second to 1.5 second, do the starter need a preventive maintenance or is normal? the temperature here is 80-90 F and the noise still there