'94 850 Turbo - Weird Occasional Starter Sound

IG-88A · Post by **IG-88A** » 20 Jan 2016, 16:31

Hello. Last week, after going into the grocery store, I come back out, start the car, and while the starter is turning, I heard a weird creaking, croaking, groaning sound that was in time with the revolutions. Its really hard to explain noises. I turned it off and started it back up several times to see if I could hear it again. But it didn't happen. Earlier this week, it happened once. And just now, when at the store again, it happened again. This time I was able to get it to do it again by turning it off and starting it back up. This noise doesn't seem to persist once the engine is started. The only time I hear it is when the starter is engaged. Any clue as to where to look for the cause of this?

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 20 Jan 2016, 17:16

Could be the starter itself, I'd say... but take a look at the tensioner for the serpentine belt. Mine's been making sounds that could resemble that description - I've got a new one coming, but I'm crossing my fingers for it until we get above -5F around here...

Do you have a bearing on what side of the engine it's coming from?

- S

IG-88A · Post by **IG-88A** » 20 Jan 2016, 17:25

I can't really pinpoint where its coming from exactly. It doesn't sound too far off to one side or the other when I'm in the driver's seat, but I can't tell for sure. I'll have to see if a friend can start it over and over while I'm under the hood, so maybe I can get a read on it. I've been meaning to replace the tensioner as well as the pulleys associated with it, as I've got a whistling on cool to cold mornings that I'm suspecting might be one of those bearings on its way out. This noise sounds far different from that though.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 21 Jan 2016, 04:41

If you can find out which side it's on, that's going to help, at least. Also, if you manage to get a video/recording of it, I'm sure someone's heard something like it before around here.

- S

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jan 2016, 15:23

Our old 850 NA would make a weird complaining noise when it was very cold, and then be fine after that. It could also be the solenoid or bendix starting to fail.

Neil.