Starter Motor Sounds Liek Its Being Murdered When Cold

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Hi All,

My 08 auto diesel Prado has been playing up when cold in the last few days.

On initial cranking the motor isn't turning over (almost like a compression lock symptom) and the starter motor sounds like its being strangled really loudly, almost a squeal.

After 3 or so cranks, the motor turns over slowly, then fires up. Once warm its fine but still not as quick as it once was. With the dual batteries connected together the cold start is marginally better, but flies around on a warm start with the dual batteries.

I get no solenoid clicks, all fluids are good and uncontaminated (don't think head etc), all contacts are good, new starter battery yesterday to eliminate that.

Has anyone heard a starter squeal , scream when trying to start?

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Turns out it was the starter. Swapped in an eBay job and it fires fine.
Stripped the old one and a bearing on the end of the motor shaft is buggered

[Borec Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Borec]

Turns out it was the starter. Swapped in an eBay job and it fires fine.
Stripped the old one and a bearing on the end of the motor shaft is buggered

Something similar is happening to mine, had to leave the car at home this morning. Well, have a new one ready to go in on weekend.