# 2014 Toyota RAV4 - Strange Noise When Starting

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-toyota-rav4-strange-noise-when-starting/144318>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 13, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-toyota-rav4-strange-noise-when-starting/144318 "2019-07-13T15:05:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LeonSteinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/839c29/32.png) [@LeonSteinhardt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LeonSteinhardt)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-toyota-rav4-strange-noise-when-starting/144318/1 "2019-07-13T15:05:42Z")

</div>

won’t start, makes noise like a power drill that’s reached its torque limit and is spinning without trying to tighten further. Similar to timer install, but more rapid and not as loud, like a hand held drill. Seems to me the sound is from or near the starter. I’m thinking it is the starter rather than the battery, but could a low battery make the starter do that? Does the starter require a minimum power level before it will engage the engine?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tcmichnorth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tcmichnorth/32/25126_2.png) [@tcmichnorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tcmichnorth)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-toyota-rav4-strange-noise-when-starting/144318/2 "2019-07-13T18:02:36Z")

</div>

Sounds like the solonoid isn’t advancing the pinion gear into the ring gear. Have your starter checked.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-toyota-rav4-strange-noise-when-starting/144318/3 "2019-07-13T18:25:40Z")

</div>

Check the battery, too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2014-toyota-rav4-strange-noise-when-starting/144318/4 "2019-07-13T20:32:18Z")

</div>

The battery has failed, the starter solenoid will cycle rapidly when there isn’t enough power to operate the starter motor.