Noise has been fairly consistent for the last year or two on cold starts. ONLY happens on cold starts, and most prevalent in colder weather although it does happen during the NY summers.
Do we think this is a sticking stater solenoid? Or something worse?
Only thought would be cam chain tensioner, but I feel like I'd have some serious issues if that's gone on for that long. Pads were done about 5k miles ago, and the tensioner felt great.
Is this a sticking starter on cold start?
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Tom
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I'll be curious to learn what it turns out to be. Can't honestly say I've ever heard anything quite like that on these cars. Your motor is cranking on the slow side. If you charge the battery over night, does it still make that sound?
This is fresh off being on a battery tender overnight, with a battery just barely over a year old. Granted, it was around 40F outside, and it's running 15W50 oil, so it's thick. Wonder if the higher compression of the S engine plays into it too?Tom wrote: Thu Nov 20, 2025 2:16 pm I'll be curious to learn what it turns out to be. Can't honestly say I've ever heard anything quite like that on these cars. Your motor is cranking on the slow side. If you charge the battery over night, does it still make that sound?
But fair point - maybe it's all an indication of a starter needing a rebuild or replacement, between the noise and the crank speed?
1988 944S - Zermatt Silver
2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL
2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL
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Tom
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Worth investigating I'd say.sefeing wrote: Thu Nov 20, 2025 3:12 pmThis is fresh off being on a battery tender overnight, with a battery just barely over a year old. Granted, it was around 40F outside, and it's running 15W50 oil, so it's thick. Wonder if the higher compression of the S engine plays into it too?Tom wrote: Thu Nov 20, 2025 2:16 pm I'll be curious to learn what it turns out to be. Can't honestly say I've ever heard anything quite like that on these cars. Your motor is cranking on the slow side. If you charge the battery over night, does it still make that sound?
But fair point - maybe it's all an indication of a starter needing a rebuild or replacement, between the noise and the crank speed?
Yes, that's the classic sign of a sticking starter. The noise is the starter gear not disengaging quickly from the flywheel after the engine starts. It's a very common issue on these cars.
Since it only happens on a cold start and has lasted years, it's almost certainly not the chain tensioner. A failed tensioner would cause constant, much worse noise.
The starter is likely the original one and just worn. It's not an emergency, but plan on replacing the starter soon before it fails completely.
Since it only happens on a cold start and has lasted years, it's almost certainly not the chain tensioner. A failed tensioner would cause constant, much worse noise.
The starter is likely the original one and just worn. It's not an emergency, but plan on replacing the starter soon before it fails completely.
Given your description — no worsening, no codes, recent chain tensioner service, and seasonal cold-start behavior — the starter solenoid or motor is the most likely culprit.