If I try to stat the car in gear, The car makes an awful grinding noise - like the starter mortor is 'grinding' then putts out and does not start. on the second attemp it will start. ( I always leave the car in gear when parking).

If I start the car w. the stick in neutral, it will do this 50% of the time.... other half it starts properly.

bad clutch?.... I only have 19K on the car.

also - How can I determine if my CL is still under warrenty? should I bring it to the dealer right away?

 

It could be the clutch, but it's very unlikely unless it was badly abused - are you the original owner? Or it could be the starter motor/solinoid not engaging the flywheel properly. It's probably not under warranty, when was it purchesed new?

 

7 year 100,000mile warrenty...
apperently the CL is the "most dependable entry premium car" (by JD POWER) so at 19k i'd say double check just in case you bought a volkswagon....
wow 19k....i knew a dude that bought a CL brand new..and he drove it around the block and it spontaniously combusted and melted to ooze...wasnt covered under warrenty.....

 

Where does the grinding come from? Does it sound like the engine bay, under the dash, do you feel it on the clutch pedal?

 

It kinda sounds like the teeth on the starter aren't meshing with the teeth on the flywheel... I had this problem on an old beater, and it would make a racket when I started it sometimes... eventually it would turn over tho'.

Mine only came with a 4 year/50K warranty from the factory. The 7yr/100K mile is on the auto transmission... unless of course you bought an extended warranty...

 

I have the 4 year 50K warrenty - but I am not the origional owner of the car, so I have no idea when the car was first purchased.

I do not feel it in the clutch pedal - But the noise is comming from the engin bay - like i said i think it is the starter.... but it is directly related to starting the car in gear - whch should not be a problem with a manual transmission.

Im trying to figure out if leaving the car in gear when parking is somhow causing this problem - or starting in gear (either first or reverse depending on where i park)

thanks guys!

 

Sounds to me like your flywheel ring gear (that engages the starter) is worn out. Do you know if the previous owner had any work done on it? New clutch or starter, different flywheel? My Accord has a screwed up starter and it makes the grinding sound every once in a while. Your starter may be worn out and the solenoid might not push the pinion gear out all the way. Getting a new starter may solve the problem. I'd check on that warranty first!

 

Check the door jamb... it'll have the build month... Mine was Aug 02, purchased on Sept 30 02... It won't be exact, but it should be close enough to see if you still are under the 4 years...

 

You have to wonder now why the car was sold with such low miles. Could have been a test mule for something. Any normal car should not have this issue with less then 20K miles.
I always put the car in 2nd gear when I park. But I always go into N when I start it.

 

have you ever tried to start it while still in gear? this is where the problem lies.... It will grind badly... then will do so for the next few start-ups regardless of how i start it,

Latley ive been leaving it in neutral, and the problem has completly gone away.....

 

yea man - ive thought about that..... hopefully i wont have any probs with it. its been solid so far - ive put on 4k since i got it in june!


my first import. I like it more everyday