# Corolla Grinding Noise **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [January 23, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890 "2013-01-23T17:25:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![clunker2001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@clunker2001](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clunker2001)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/1 "2013-01-23T17:25:08Z")
My 2009 Toyota Corolla has started to make a grinding noise when starting. The sound is identical to when you try to start an idling car. Any ideas on what the problem is? thanks. ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/2 "2013-01-23T17:47:21Z")
It may be the flywheel but let’s hope it is just the starter. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/3 "2013-01-23T19:48:20Z")
The starter is not fully engaging with the flywheel, and it is chewing up the flywheel. You should get this fixed right away. I had a Chevy V8 with this problem; it was a poor replacement starter, but I ended up having to get a new flywheel as well. Let’s hope yours is just the starter. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2013, 6:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/4 "2013-01-24T06:27:24Z")
Camshaft gear noise on start up is a common complaint on some Toyota products. From T-SB0087-09; **Immediately following a cold soak startup, some 2009 – 2010 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles may exhibit a brief knock/rattle noise from the engine compartment for approximately one second.** The camshaft gear should be replaced, warranty coverage for 5 years/60,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 6:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/5 "2013-01-24T06:36:39Z")
@Nevada_545 … just curious, what the heck is a “cold soak startup” anyway? To OP: If this noise occurs during cranking & stops after you turn the key back to “run”, I concur w/Docknick, this needs to be addressed immediately. Otherwise you may be looking at an expensive repair requiring the removal of the xmission to replace the flywheel. If this were my car I wouldn’t start it up again until the starter is removed and the both the starter and flywheel teeth are visually examined. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2013, 8:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/6 "2013-01-24T08:53:56Z")
A cold soak is a period of rest after the engine has completely cooled. The engine oil drains from the variable valve timing actuator cavities in the camshaft gear. During start up the oil cushion is gone from the cam gear and metal to metal contact occurs, a brief knocking noise. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2013, 9:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/7 "2013-01-24T09:26:23Z")
Thanks @Nevada_545. Note to OP’er: Nevada\_545 is one of the most experienced & well-informed of the posters here. It pays to heed this poster’s advice I think. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/8 "2013-01-25T04:32:01Z")
The description of the noise "The sound is identical to when you try to start an idling car." suggests to me a starter motor engagement problem, however…is it happening AFTER the engine starts any you release the key? That would suggest that the starter is not properly disengaging from the flywheel. I’ve seen this on a Corolla before. Post back with the answer. ---
**Author:** ![mysteryboyee\_163296](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@mysteryboyee\_163296](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mysteryboyee_163296)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 1:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/9 "2020-02-14T01:32:34Z")
So i apologize for necroposting, but i have a 2010 corolla with the 1.8l, and i have the same issue as OP, and yes, for me at least it happens after i release the key and it goes back into the “run” position ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/10 "2020-02-14T03:18:10Z")
For best results here suggest to post your Corolla’s problem as a new thread @mysteryboyee_163296 . Click “maintenance/repairs” above left, then “new topic” above right. ---
**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/corolla-grinding-noise/76890/11 "2020-02-14T13:49:37Z")
On my 2012 Corolla,the grinding went away after I replaced the serpentine belt.At first I taught it was the starter because it only made noise on cold starts.