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starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 1:24 pm
by Magicarcher
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.

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:15 pm
by ph001
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?

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:37 am
by Steve84N
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.

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:44 am
by ph001
If it turns out to be the starter solenoid - it can be cleaned out fairly easily. No need to replace.

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:52 pm
by MACK
Steve84N wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:37 am 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.
+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.

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:35 pm
by Magicarcher
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.

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:59 pm
by David
Magicarcher 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.
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 now :thumbsup:

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.
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8069F4A1-B0CB-4417-B113-5DAEE72963D9.jpeg (422.13 KiB) Viewed 696 times

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:05 pm
by Magicarcher
Thanks David useful picture. Is it easy to get off the car?

starter motor squeely sound

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:45 am
by David
Magicarcher wrote: Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:05 pm Thanks David useful picture. Is it easy to get off the car?
I removed my starter from my 3.0si while the manifold was out for other reasons.

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... :rofl:


David