For about a month now, whenever I start the Rockster after it's been sitting a while in the cold I hear a short screech after I let go of the button. It seems the colder it is, the louder the noise. Is my starter going to die soon?
Take it off and clean it out with brake cleaner. Just spray it all inside and blow it out. Or you can take it all apart and clean it. It's easier to just spray the cleaner in through the front cracks and blow it out with compressed air.
I agree with Boxer. My 03 started doing the same thing couple of months ago. Pulled the starter and did like he suggested but after cleaning it I sprayed some lithium grease up into the gear reduction part of the starter. Lubed it pretty well I think because it's quiet now.
I should add to my comments---be sure to pull the tank and disconnect the battery before pulling the starter. The hot lead to the starter is HOT!
Wouldn't take much of a slip with a wrench to short all to ground.
Do as Towerworker says and remove the hot lead from the battery. Or be VERY careful taking off the hot lead from the starter and wrap some tape around it to keep it from touching anything.
Take off the whole starter and you spray the cleaner into the front of it through the cracks.
