2009 Toyota Matrix, 151K, 1.8 L engine. For the past several months there has been a loud, scratchy kind-of-sound on start up. Doesn't matter if it's cold or hot start, and it doesn't happen every time, maybe once every 10 starts. The matrix starts up every time, but the sound is God awful if it happens. Again, the sound is only for the first 1 or 2 seconds when starting the engine. No other problems whatsoever, drives great. Should I be concerned? I tried something basic and replaced the belt thinking that's where the sounds was coming from, but that didn't change anything. Thoughts? THANKS!
Could be the starter wearing out. Can you record the sound?
Good luck having him record ALL of his starts haha.. might be much easier to do with a dashcam, though. Buy yeah, I agree, usually a ‘god awful sound’ if not clanging from the engine, is the bendix drive of the starter.. A rattling pulley should really sound that bad.
Yea, no way I can record it since it is so sporadic. I'm fine with it, but my wife... when she hears that sound she tells me "you need to sell that thing or fix it before it blows up"...lol
Should I replace the starter now or wait until it stops working altogether? It has not worsened and it's been happening probably for about a year. I'm hesitiant to replace something on this Matrix if it's still working. Is this an easy process for me to replace or will it need to go to the shop?
no, don't go buy a new starter if you're not sure. It was my wild guess based on your vague description. It could actually be a dozen different things. Take it to the shop so they can diagnose it properly.
I go on a limb and suggest something here: … just perhaps, you have a small oil leak from a crankshaft seal, … I mean small one! Some of that oil gets, now and then, flinged onto the bendix, … oily bendix collects dirt - slowly, over time bendix does not snap out as it used to when you turn the key, due to oily dirt on it, … but still does - hence the sound!
Anyway, … just a thought. Been there, experienced it: … you either get a starter out and clean it - reinstall it, … or just get a new one. But almost always, starter tests OK, otherwise.
Your situation may be different, …
F.S.
Should I replace it as preventative or wait until it stops working?
Well, … sure way to tell is to remove the starter and see it’s condition. If bendix is grimy, … question is how grimy? Is it just a dust, … or oily dust?
In my case, first time, I replaced the starter. When it happened again couple years later, I just cleaned the starter, bench-tested it, reinstalled it, … and it worked for few years after, and few years after the next cleaning, … and so on. The car stayed with me for 25 years with a second starter that was cleaned periodically.
My subsequent cars? Yes, … one was "acting" a bit a while ago - it’s a 16 years old car, I just removed the starter and cleaned it. It’s manual so there was lot of clutch dust, … slightly sticky. I cleaned it and the “act" vanished. But like I said earlier, … your situation may just be different.
Best,
F.S.
OK - I HAVE a 09 Matrix, and when I bought it, it had this problem. I had it fixed under warranty. It's the VVTI cam adjuster/phaser. There is a Toyota TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on this.
nailed it! sucks I definitely don't have any warranty left on it, and I don't think I'm burning any oil. I think i'm just gonna deal with it for now. Thank you!
often, these defects are covered under a separate extended warranty, not the general warranty that came with your vehicle. Take a look at the recall topic in our FAQ..
no, not at all. And it doesn't ever fail to start up, starts every time just with the God-awful screetching sound!
Yea, that is more like it.
Which one? Scotty’s video or the other one?