Steve1

2011 FWD

Title says it all. Upon turning the ignition, the starter will occasionally make a grinding noise, just like the noise it would make if you turn the ignition while the engine is running. This happens maybe 30% of the time with varying degrees of severity, usually very mild but occasionally quite harsh. I have a theory that the starter pinion gear gets stuck randomly and grinds against the flywheel. I am aware of the TSB "Starter Motor Intermittently Grinds in Cold Weather" (below 45 degrees), but I've never had that happen under those conditions here in sunny Florida, and my vehicle falls well outside the VINS listed in that TSB. I wanted to see if anyone else has had this problem, and if simply replacing the starter solved it.

thoiboi

Tomtwtwtw

This is typical behavior of a starter that's on its way out. My wife's Fit had the same issue a couple years back. It may do it more often in the cold, but eventually it'll do it more often in any weather, and eventually that grinding (which is the starter being spun by the engine at over 1000 rpm vs the 50 or so it's designed for) will take its toll and kill the starter completely. Better to replace it while you can still start it.