Cold start grind noise

14095 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by jblackburn, Feb 11, 2016

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · Feb 8, 2016

Hey I know this a a common issue experienced by a couple of Cruze drivers. 2014 Cruze 6 speed manual here. Whenever I start my car in the very cold morning I can hear a grinding noise that last only a second or two coming from front passenger side. Sounds like the started stays engaged too long. If I turn in off the back on, no noise starts perfectly. Anyone experience this or have a fix for this issue. If it's the starter I'm scared to ruin the flywheel. Only happens in the cold weather if the car has been sitting a few hours outside

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chevrasaki

· #2 · Feb 8, 2016

Interesting, don't think I have this noise when I start mine, I have a 1.4L turbo 6-speed manual 2014 1LT.

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 9, 2016

Not everyone has had this but there is an old thread talking about this issue

obermd

· #4 · Feb 9, 2016

Addicted2Saab said:
Hey I know this a a common issue experienced by a couple of Cruze drivers. 2014 Cruze 6 speed manual here. Whenever I start my car in the very cold morning I can hear a grinding noise that last only a second or two coming from front passenger side. Sounds like the started stays engaged too long. If I turn in off the back on, no noise starts perfectly. Anyone experience this or have a fix for this issue. If it's the starter I'm scared to ruin the flywheel. Only happens in the cold weather if the car has been sitting a few hours outside

Is this right as you start the car or is it at 12 MPH? If the latter it's the ABS self check. If it's the former I'm assuming you have a LS with the 1.8 Ecotec engine. There has been a redesign for the LS starter for this very symptom.

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 9, 2016

Not it's not the ABS self check it does it immediately upon startup. I know there is a TSB for the 1.8L engine but my car is a 1LT 1.4 turbo 6 speed manual

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 9, 2016

Anyone can provide insight ?

jblackburn

· #7 · Feb 9, 2016

My 1.4 does this on a cold morning (20* or below). It does sound like the starter.

In fact, here's a video.

It's a 2012. The later years already have a different sounding starter to my ear.

https://youtu.be/uOp-J1XUgUI

Reactions: 1

chevrasaki

· #8 · Feb 9, 2016

jblackburn said:
My 1.4 does this on a cold morning (20* or below). It does sound like the starter.

In fact, here's a video.

It's a 2012. The later years already have a different sounding starter to my ear.

https://youtu.be/uOp-J1XUgUI

I agree that does sound different than the starter in my 2014 Cruze.

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 9, 2016

I hear that exact same sound on my car !! Dunno if it's the starter but did you go at the dealer for this ? Has a repair or diagnostic been made ?

jblackburn

· #10 · Feb 9, 2016

Addicted2Saab said:
I hear that exact same sound on my car !! Dunno if it's the starter but did you go at the dealer for this ? Has a repair or diagnostic been made ?

I noticed it last winter and kept forgetting to take it in. Out of B2B now, so just going to ignore it.

An overnight stay at the dealer for them to duplicate should be all that's needed. Just sounds to me like the bendix doesn't retract quickly enough in the cold.

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 10, 2016

Called my service advisor at my GM dealer. I will be dropping my Cruze this afternoon and they will be keeping it overnight. They will have a tech start it tomorrow morning.

Reactions: 1

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 11, 2016

Got a call today from the dealer. It was definitly the starter staying engaged a little too long so they put a new one in it. Also the mechanic changed my valve cover which had a TSB on it. He told me they tend to warp and create a vacuum leak, causing the engine to start about 400 RPM's too fast. This damages the starter in the long run. Will be picking up my car this afternoon, hoping everything is fixed for good

Reactions: 1

jblackburn

· #13 · Feb 11, 2016

Addicted2Saab said:
Got a call today from the dealer. It was definitly the starter staying engaged a little too long so they put a new one in it. Also the mechanic changed my valve cover which had a TSB on it. He told me they tend to warp and create a vacuum leak, causing the engine to start about 400 RPM's too fast. This damages the starter in the long run. Will be picking up my car this afternoon, hoping everything is fixed for good

Interesting. Shortly after having my intake manifold and valve cover changed for PCV issues, my car was starting weird - revving to 2000 RPM once, or stumbling on 1 or 2 cylinders for a bit and then hunting for RPM for a bit.

I yanked the battery cable to reset the computer and it's been normal since. There is still the slight stumble occasionally before one cylinder lights off, but I'm thinking maybe a coil pack or spark plug, and it runs fine after that. Shrug.

Addicted2Saab

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 11, 2016

Weird issue... you ever had a check engine light pop ?

jblackburn

· #15 · Feb 11, 2016

Addicted2Saab said:
Weird issue... you ever had a check engine light pop ?

10,000 miles ago for the typical valve cover issue.

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