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
- Thread starter Magicarcher
- Start date
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?
+1Steve84N said:
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.
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.
Magicarcher said:
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
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.
Thanks David useful picture. Is it easy to get off the car?
Magicarcher said:
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...
David
