Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
starter motor squeely sound
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
starter motor squeely sound
I have noticed when I start my Z4 (which turns over and starts fine), the second it fires and I return the key to ignition position I get a squeely sound for one or two seconds, which I am thinking is the starter motor but not sure. It happens consistently. does anyone else get this or have any idea what it could be. The car is low mileage but 12 years old.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
starter motor squeely sound
If it’s a squeel sound it’s more likely the aux belt slipping slightly on the alternator pulley. When you start the car you take a big load off the battery which in turn puts a big load on the alternator for a few seconds as it dumps current into the battery. The belt is automatically tensioned so you can’t really adjust it but the belt should be changed if still on it’s original at 12 yrs old.
The starter sticking is more like a grindy kind of squarwk...bit hard to describe. That is fairly common too. Can you do a youtube vid of the noise?
The starter sticking is more like a grindy kind of squarwk...bit hard to describe. That is fairly common too. Can you do a youtube vid of the noise?
- Steve84N
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1828
- Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:00 pm
starter motor squeely sound
I think it's the solenoid not disengaging quickly enough so for a split second the engine spins the motor very quickly causing a screeching sound. Probably fine for a while yet but you can replace the starter if you're worried.
C63 AMG Estate 6208cc
- ph001
- Lifer
- Posts: 3870
- Joined: Mon Oct 31, 2016 5:53 pm
- Location: N. Yorkshire.
starter motor squeely sound
If it turns out to be the starter solenoid - it can be cleaned out fairly easily. No need to replace.
Last edited by ph001 on Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- MACK
- Lifer
- Posts: 3600
- Joined: Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:38 am
- Location: Manchester
starter motor squeely sound
+1
Mine does this occasionally. Maybe one in ten starts. I'm not rushing to replace it just yet I'll wait till it's much more prevalent. Then I'll take it off and try freeing it up a bit rather than replace the whole thing. There not that hard to remove providing you can access it. If not it's a easy job for a garage to remove and like I said I'd try a bit of spray etc to free it off before replacing.
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)
White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)
White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
starter motor squeely sound
Thanks for all the help. I found a youtube video that "shows" how it sounds (only need to listed to the first 12 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ9qnnf2kWU. Mine doesn't sound as bad as this, but it happens most times. Sounds like Steve84N is likely to be right.
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
- David
- Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:01 pm
starter motor squeely sound
Yep, I used the same video to help me out. My starter motor was a Denso BMW one. Took it apart, degreased in and re-greased it and all is fine nowMagicarcher wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:35 pm Thanks for all the help. I found a youtube video that "shows" how it sounds (only need to listed to the first 12 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ9qnnf2kWU. Mine doesn't sound as bad as this, but it happens most times. Sounds like Steve84N is likely to be right.
I used GUNK degreaser, some electrical connector cleaner (for the circuit) and then some Lith-Moly grease - all from Halfords.
You’ll need some external circlip pliers for one circlip. You can get these from Halfords too.
- Magicarcher
- Member
- Posts: 543
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2016 9:12 pm
- Location: Warwickshire
starter motor squeely sound
Thanks David useful picture. Is it easy to get off the car?
Z4 3.0L 2005. Titan Silver. Audio Upgrade Second Stereo Pioneer X8700DAB, Sony Xplode 4 x 70W Amp, 6.5" Reckhorn Subs in rear cubby, Focal AS165-3 in fronts.
- David
- Member
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2016 8:01 pm
starter motor squeely sound
I removed my starter from my 3.0si while the manifold was out for other reasons.Magicarcher wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:05 pm Thanks David useful picture. Is it easy to get off the car?
However, others have had success removing it with the manifold in situ. Definitely a squeeze but doable, so I’m told.
This makes it sound a lot easier than it actually is:
- Disconnect battery
- Disconnect the starter electrical connector
- Disconnect the bolted on thick cable/plate
- Undo two torx bolts that hold the starter in place - one from the front, one long bolt from the rear.
- Slide starter motor towards front of car and remove
Note: Be mindful of the crankshaft sensor and connector that sits right below the starter motor!!! If this is knocked and dislodged you will lose power steering and ABS, and the car will not want to start. Ask me how I know...
David