Hi I have a 2011 Dodge Dakota with the 3.7l V6. Once the engine has been sitting for 4-5 hours and is completely cooled down, every once and awhile upon startup I hear a grinding/rattling/squeaking sound just before the motor turns over for about half a second. This happens periodically on start ups, most frequently when temperatures are cool outside. Will replacing my starter fix this issue?

 

to confirm, the starter is not turning hte engine at all when the noise is happening? if that's the case, yes, i would look at replacing the starter.

if the starter is spinning and the motor is turning over while the sound is happening but stops before the engine itself starts running on it's own, then it's not the starter.

 

The starter is turning over the motor. The truck is starting normally all the way until 1 second before the truck turns over. It is not a constant grind from the start of turning the key. Only just before the motor starts to run on its own.