Weird starter noise, could use an idea…

S

Sined

Member
Hello everyone!

I'm about a month away from the end of my BMW Premium Selection warranty, and it's about time I do something about this noise I've been hearing for quite a while now.

So there it is: beginning last winter, almost every time I've started my 2006 2.5si cold (engine not running for more than 8 hours and temperature below 15°C/59°F) at the moment when the engine catches and starts roaring, a horrible screeching sound can be heard. I'd be damned if I could guess what the cause of it is, but it's really nasty.

Below is a link to a video I made where it can be heard twice in two different instances, it's directly after the end of the starter and sounds a bit like a kid's wind-up friction car when you've wound it too much and the spring 'lets go'…

http://vimeo.com/36426038

Before I go ask my (usually non-cooperative) dealer, I'd like to hear if any one of you ever had the problem, what it's caused by and if it's fixable…

Thank you all very much in advance
 
Common issue - a search will throw up many threads on this


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I've not played the video (no bandwidth where I am) but your description sounds like the release mechanism on the starter motor is catching. Maybe change to a new dealer? I'm surprised they would be non co-operative, they get paid by BMW or the insurer so what have they got to lose?
 
At a loss here - why if you have been hearing the noise for 'quite a while now' did you not try and sort it sooner?
 
ranski -> I did try a few searches, but English is not my native language and I had a hard time figuring out what keywords to search. It's not easy putting a word on a sound in another language ;-)

AlanJ -> 50% procrastination, I have to admit. But also the fact that by previous experience, coming to the dealership (that dealership) with 'a noise' that is hard to recreate and doesn't prevent the car from running is a good way to lose your temper and an hour of your life.

Stuart Truman -> The problem with this particular dealership is that it hasn't stopped growing for 15 years, they make boatlods of cash from the leased cars (they have a huge market here in Luxemburg) so at some point they must have figured 'why waste our time and efforts on small private customers who bought a second hand car?'. It's not that they won't do stuff, but they make it just irritating enough for you to postpone until the very last moment... Oh, and fun thing: I haven't heard better things about the other dealerships in a 60 mile radius...

PS: 'cold start' just did the trick, I found some articles that seem to cover the issue. If I understand it correctly, there's no real definite fix, is that it?
 
I think Stuart has it, starter return. You can attempt to repair the mechanism, or replace the whole starter. Don't put it off too long, it's wearing away the teeth on your flywheel.

Going to search is an easy answer, but search terms can even baffle native speakers. Nothing wrong with your English.
 
Just a quick update, maybe in turn, it'll help someone.
I left my car to sit in the parking lot of my dealer's sunday night, in order for them to cold-start it on monday morning. They heard the noise and have agreed to replace the starter motor under warranty.
They're going to do the switch in a couple of weeks, hope it'll solve the problem for good...
 
Eeek!

I have exactly this noise too when cold.
Will get it sorted under warranty too!

Thanks for posting this.

Si
 
Just take it off clean it and grease what you can refit and it will more then likely be fine. I have read else where that is isn't that big a deal and rarely damages the flywheel. Also helps if you release the key quicker
 
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