Well, I have been reading around here for a while. AWSOME SITE!!! I have been driving Dakota's for about the last 10 years and decided I needed to move up tothe Ram. Let me just say I am in LOVE! I bought it in Oct. 07. It is an '08 Ram QC SLT, 5.7L Hemi, Sunburst Orange, loaded. The only thing I have done with it so far is added stainless nerf bars, K&N air filter and Rihno Lining bed liner (over the rail). Soon to come is the SC Flashpaq,Recon Cab lights, and TGC 2" leveling kit. Anyway my issue is, When I start the truck once in a while it will make a short grinding noise right after the truck starts. It sounds like when you hold the key to long and the starter spins a bit. Well I know that all I do is Turn the key until it starts to to turn over and then I let go and if finishes starting. Real nice feature compaired to the "Old Days", LOL. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else has encountered this. I apologize for the long post but I can tell you this is one of the best sites that I have ever observed and the people here are AWSOME. Thanks again for all of your help!

 

Sorry, I don't really know what it could be, but I think I've turned my key maybe once the 4 months I've had my truck. The factory remote start is pretty sweet....

Also, how much did you pay for your Rhino Liner? I'm thinking of getting that or something similar soon.

 

Thanks for the reply! The Rhino lining cost me $450.00 out the door and that was with the "over the rail". It is awsome, I had it in my 99 Dak 4x4 and loved it. I had it sprayed in 2 days after I bought it. I don't think I would ever have a truck without it.

 

Sounds like the starter motor dog, isn't disengaging from the flywheel.
Used to get this on high milleage engines, whereby all the crud sticks to the starter motor dog stopping it from snapping back freely after use.
But, as this is a new truck...........?
I guess It could still have crud on the starter motor though.
If your handy with a spanner, whip that sucker off then pull the starter dog back on the shaft and let go. It should snap back freely.
If it appears to be sticking, clean it up untill it does.
If after cleaning it's still not snapping right back, take her in and use the warranty my friend.
Hope this helps?
Al.

 

Chrysler starters used to do this kind of thing forty years ago. If the motor didn't start right away and you twisted the key too soon, you engaged still-spinning starter teeth with the stopped flywheel. This often sounded like a grinding. Abarmby may be onto something -- the starter is not pulling back from the flywheel every time. Could be a bump-start issue.

 

Thanks for the replys and the suggestions. I will look into your suggestion abarmby. I only have 5,100 miles on her (normal driving conditions -highway and some intown) and it only seems to do it when it is really cold outside. After running for a while I can start it again and it does not do it. I will get down there when it warms up a bit and see what I can find out. Again, thanks for all the help, it is greatly appreciated. I just thought it might have something to do with the computer not disengaging it fast enough or something. I am used to holding the key until the engine starts but I have had to get out of that habbit with this truck. Everyones help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

That part about being cold when it happens, might fit into what I said earlier.
The gunk/oil or whatever is freezing, causes greater friction therefore the dog isn't spinning back quickly enough and notdisengaging from the flywheel.
Al.