Hello everyone Im new on this site. Just recently picked up a 1998 GT 76k miles, one owner all stock. Well I notice that each time I start my car it takes a few turns to fire up, and it makes this loud high pitched noise sometimes. Is this an indication of a bad starter? It only happens during startup, when the car is cold. Any input/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

does it do it after it starts or while it starting?

 

A starter would sound horrible... More like grinding metal on metal.. Try to prime your fuel pump first... Turn the keys to the on position and you should hear it priming..

 

It might be the starter is staying engaged in the flywheel. The bendx might be bad?

 

Sounds like a fuel pump ready to crap out to me.

 

Right when the car starts its makes like a loud grinding noise for a second, then it just stops. The sound is coming from the engine bay

 

try checking the battery. when i first bought my other 97 i had the wrong battery in the car. once i got the right one it started like a king. but another thing is that you have 75k. most likely the fuel filter has not been changed either. and also the spark plugs. when you first get a new car you should always change the sparks, filters, and check the voltage of the battery so that you dont get stuck in the middle of nowhere. if all that is good you may have a starter about to go bad. you can buy an aftermarket starter that is lighter and less expensive than stock and it also cranks a lot faster for engines pushing a lot of hp or older engines.

 

If its a grind, it will be your starter solenoid hanging when keeps the bendix engaged and it will hit the flywheel that is turning faster than the starter... i'd have someone listen while i started it to see if thats where its coming from and if it is, i would pull the starter cuz you'd hate to have to pull the trans back to put in a new flywheel that the starter messes up. chances are the teeth will shred on the starter first, but ya never know... don't make em like they use to boys

 

^+1 Starter, and keep it up and it will be a fly wheel too.

 

Sounds like the bendix (starter gear) is staying stuck in the ringear for a second after it cranks the engine. Had the same thing happening to me a few months ago. Pull the starter, have it bench tested and/or use electrical parts cleaner to clean it out. Should fix the problem. If not, it's time for a new starter.