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I've got a 03 EX manual. It's been cold lately in central NY, very cold(-15F one morning last week). I've noticed that whenever it gets very cold like this(20F or less, roughly), my starter motor sounds like it's running too long after I stop turning the key. It's like the gear that engages the flywheel is sticking in place a second or two too long after the engine has turned over. The indication of this is a whine after I stop turning the key that increases sharply in pitch as the engine roars to life. After 1-2 seconds it totally stops.

Is this normal, or should I be calling the dealer?

Thanks for any advice,
Pol

 
Rep Power: 311

Sounds like the starter solenoid isnt drawing back the gear quick enough before the engine fires up. Could be a sticking solenoid.. if its not grinding and starts up fine, it might not be worth fixing yet.

 
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Mine does that too!

I posted about this a few months back..but nobody knew what it could be - i always assumed it was the alternator, but this starter motor thing sounds like it could definetly be it..

Mine sounds almost exactly like the whine our trannys make when going fast in reverse..then it dissappears after about a second or less..


If you find out what it really is then plleeeease post an update back here!

 
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Im pretty sure alot of cars do that in the extreme cold. I know mine does. The other week it was so cold I let the clutch out and it lagged behind my foot about a second.

 
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I was in Central NY the other day and had the exact same problem. Keep the gas tank full, keep it full of antifreeze and you should be OK.

 
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ya i live in calgary canada and mine did that when it was like -30 a couple times too