The problem tends to occur after driving for 25-30  minutes, so most often on restart (clutch pedal depressed) after auto-stop. 

 

On depressing the clutch pedal, there's about 1-2 seconds of screeching/grating as the starter motor kicks in. This doesn't sound great, but is intermittent, in that you can predict roughly when it might  happen, but can't reliably  repeat the symptom. We took it back to the garage who sold us the 3-year-old vehicle back in November, but  they couldn't repeat it either.

 

It only ever happens a couple of times and then never again on the same trip.

 

It's obviously in some way connected to engaging the starter motor (yes, I know I could eliminate the sympton by switching auto-stop off!), but why would it only behave accoring to the pattern described and not at other times?  How serious could it be?

 

Any ideas or suggestions (expecially from someone who has experienced this) wlecome.

 

Peter  

 

   

It could be one of a few things....

 

Starter motor 'growly' if worn due to on/off starting using stop/start

 

Worn Dual Mass Flywheel - another component that will be affected by stop/start

 

Worn clutch release bearing - as above due to keeping clutch pedal depressed to start up