Whenever I start my truck now it makes this grinding noise for about a second or two and then goes away. It only does this when the truck has been off for a while (I.E. the morning, after school). It seems to be comming from under the hood or under the truck, but not from the rear. Everything else works fine but the noise is very irritating. Any help on what it could be or how to fix it is very helpful.

 

is your key getting stuck in the "start" postition for a little bit? cuz ive acedently turned my key again because i forgot the engine was running and it made a grinding sound...

 

no. The truck starts and then it makes this loud annoying grinding sound once its started for a second or two.

 

From what I can tell it sounds like your starter. This same thing happened on my last truck. I used to actually go mudding (yeah yeah guys) and I think that's what got up in the starter and made it sound weird. After I started it it'd make a scraping sound for about 5 seconds on and off. It also had done it after it had been resting for awhile just like yours. That's just what it sounds like to me, but I'm not sure.

 

Mine does the same thing that Chad's does but only every now and then. And sometimes it does this when I turn on the air shortly after turning on the truck.

 

But Bailey, you've had more mud on your truck than everyone combined, haha. Soggy dry lake is messy.

 

So does that mean that i need a new starter?

 

I posted asking about something similar to this a while back. Turns out I had some leaves and crap up in the ventilation airbox thingy. Got those out, truck hasnt done it sinse. Hope that helps.

 

IF it is the starter, I wouldn't worry about replacing it immediately, but if that is the problem, then I would definitely keep it in mind.

 

This sounds like A/C slugging and is very common on Fords and many other brands. A "slug" of condensed liquid refrigerant collects at a low spot in the A/C system when the engine is off and is drawn through the compressor when the compressor clutch engages. A/C compressors are designed to compress gaseous refrigerant and they don't like liquids.

The compressor clutch is engaged a second or two after the engine starts if the selector is in an A/C-enabled mode. Slugging can also occur after the engine has been running awhile when the mode selector is moved from a non-A/C mode to an A/C mode.

Keep in mind that the A/C compressor is enabled in several modes besides A/C and Max A/C, so this can happen even if one of the positions labeled "A/C" has not been selected.

The noise usually happens only once per trip. It can happen in cool or cold weather but is more prevalent in warmer ambients. The sound can be mild or very harsh but, unfortunately, there is no fix for it.

 

yes you need a new starter its the drive gear on the starter or the shaft doing it common problem 3 bolts and i think 2 wires and its in and out. have fun.

btw nice another silver ranger with a KC bar and 150W daylighters

 

Sweet, diagnosed!

Haha, Zach I had to do a double take on his avatar at first, for a split-second I thought it was your truck.

 

lol mine just stared to do the exact same thing

 

Thanks zach for the compliment on the lights. So is it the a/c compressor or is it the starter?

 

It's still not clear but I think you can find out if it's the compressor by doing a test:


Drive the truck as you normally do and park it for the evening.

After the engine is off, turn the A/C mode selector to "OFF".

In the morning, leave the A/C mode selector switch in "OFF", start the engine and listen for the noise. If you do hear it with the selector in "OFF", it can't be the compressor.

If you don't hear the noise in the first few seconds when you would expect it, then turn the A/C mode selector switch from "OFF" to "A/C". If it responds with the noise, then your problem is A/C slugging.

 

i used to have that problem on cold starts as well. but it wasn't a grind, it was more of a loud high pitched ring. it turned out to be my DZK pulley. i had problems with the install and i guess maybe the belt was slipping or something.

 

yes it is the starter, replace it. The noise you are hearing is the shaft not coming out far enough and grinding on the flywheel teeth. If you keep startign it and its making that noise you will wear out the flywheel and need a new one. I would replace the starter ASAP. Its a very simple replacement

 

i'll put $ down on the start it is VERY common with rangers expecially if you get any form of mud in there beleave me happened to many people I used to wheel with and myself.

 

no problem man I love mine so I know you do

does it sound like a how the hell i put it ever hear anyone that tryed to start the car when it was running still? that noise but worse grinding then bam its gone....? then its the starter for sure..

 

Its definately the starter. Its comming from under the truck a little before the transfer case. And that is exactly where the starter is located on my truck. My question now is how do i unscrew the upper bolt? The exhaust pipe and the front driveshaft are both in the way. It looks very easy to do, just a few wires and bolts, but there is almost no room for a socket wrench to get in there. Any suggestions?

 

Mine has been doing this since the temps dropped below 60. After seeing this thread it seems a bit too common!

 

Mine started doing it too, its just the shaft the starter gear is on, just take it off and put some white lithium(sp?) grease on her and your good to go, to get the top bolt off you'll need a extension. Mine started doing it too after it got cold. Easy fix tho, you wont need a new starter unless its actually the solienoid itself. But i think any auto parts store can test a starter although I could be wrong.

 

I also have same problem on my 2005 ford ranger 4000 v6,when you start the engine if makes that grinding noise but just after that second did it I turn off the engine and restart it does make tht noise.i dnt know wat the problem.