C5 starter motor

[Bandit12]

Hi Guys, Hope your all enjoying a good xmas.

My C5 2.2hdi has developed an intermittent fault when cold. occasionally on first crank instead of engine turning it gives a high pitch metallic screech which stops the moment I release the key. It only seems to do it when the engine is very cold and even then its only done it 4-5 times in total and only started making this noise a couple of months ago. On second crank it is fine and starts though noticed it is slower to turn over from cold than hot and on one occasion it nearly stopped cranking after only 2-3 seconds on the key. I switched off everything, left it for a minute or 2 then successfully started engine. Battery has 5 year warranty and is 5 years old so already planning on replacing it. All this is very out of character and she has been starting instantly on the key from the moment I bought her in April.

Any ideas on the cause of the noise and also recommendations for batteries are gratefully appreciated

Many thanks

Bandit

[VertVega]

2 options for 12 V battery from Exide pages:
(Length: 278 mm, Width: 175 mm, Height: 190 mm)
1. Battery Capacity: 74 Ah, Cold-test Current, EN: 680 A
2. Battery Capacity: 77 Ah, Cold-test Current, EN: 760 A

[Peter.N.]

It could well be that the battery is not fully engaging the starter or turning it over fast enough, it could also be a faulty starter motor or worst of all a failing DMF - but try the battery first.

Peter

[SaabC5]

High pitched metallic screech on turning ignition key is normally the starter solenoid pinion gear not engaging properly.

[addo]

I'd also suggest for attention/look the damper pulley.

[Bandit12]

Thank you for the tips guys, I suspect it is the battery as it is out of warranty now and it is turning over from cold slower than it did in the summer but its fine when the engine is hot. I'll replace the battery and see how I get on. Hopefully it is nothing more serious. One question though for Addo, what is the damper pulley? Anything to do with the auxillary drive belt?

[addo]

Yeah, yeah - just different lingo. You might call it the crank pulley. That which drives the aux belt for your steering, alternator etc.

[Bandit12]

Thanks for that mate