Hello all, I've been browsing this forum for some time now while I adjust to my new SVT, ran into something that I didnt immediately find covered in a quick search.

Two times now in the last, 2 months or so, when I've gone to start the car it'd crank a couple times, then make a really terrible kinda grinding noise. Sounds very much like metal-on-metal, and it worries me a little. No real consistency between the 2 times, one was a cold start first thing in the morning, this last time was 10 minutes ago starting the car after I stopped for lunch, still warm. Drivetrain components are all stock. Other than this, the car drives like a dream (as far as stock-tune SVT's go), no other symptoms.

Any ideas? Thanks all.

-Rob

Was the 'grinding' during the start? If so, you could have a bad starter, or you accidentally let the clutch out while starting...

umm i've accidently let the clutch out just a little bit while starting and it makes this weird noise now every time i start it. what is it? is it bad. i was going to go to the dealer this week sometime. i can't even explain what it is but it happens every single time i start it and even when i'm in first gear releasing the clutch to start moving. thanks for your help.

Does it sorta sound like a deranged bird squawk?

uhh idk it's a vibrating sound... like a knocking sound. it does it while i'm releasing clutch in 1st gear and when i'm shifting into 2nd and that's it, not in any other gears.

Hmmm, you got me, I'd just bring it on in to the dealer and let them handle it... [;)]

gee quick response!! thanks

[:D] No prob

I'm actually fairly sure it's the starter, I've probably got a while before it becomes a consistant problem - No, I didn't accidentally lift up on the clutch while starting it, but I have done that and it seems to just cut power to the starter, engine stops cranking, I read a post a while ago about a little switch thats triggered when the clutch is fully depressed, that lets the starter crank. *shrug*

Anyhow, starters fail, car's only a year old but if that's all I'm not too angry, I'll poke around and see how hard it'll be to get out. Thanks all.

More than likely, you're hearing the DSI (Dual Stage Intake) switching over upon startup.
When you shut the car off, there's probably a similar noise.

The IMRC (Intake Manifold Runner Control) releases the tension on the cable,
and the DSI will revert to the short runner position when you shut the car off.
When you start it back up, the IMRC pulls the cable, switching to the long runners again.

Now, if you're hearing noises when you're engaging/disengaging the clutch...
get to the Dealer...

yes was getting ready to say that dw40

went to dealer and i feel like an idiot. i should've remembered. when i first installed my strut tower brace, it would vibrate against the air intake box (i still have stock intake). well i put a little piece of foam in between it so it wouldn't do it anymore. well over a year later, it must of came off and i totally forgot about that being what it was! well at least it's nothing serious!

^^^ [:D]

yeah i didn't find it funny though i was pissed because they charged me a diagnostic charge of $70.00!! if only i would have remembered that strut tower brace [?|] they said they wouldn't of charged me that if the strut tower brace was stock.

Yeah man, the dealership is like going to satan for help....unless warranty does cover it.