[robertb]

I have an 04 CTS-V. Over this winter when it was very cold (<25F) and sitting in the open garage during the day, I would noticed a screeching noise when the car was started that lasted for a few seconds. When it was warmer outside and/or in the garage at home the noise did not occur. Now it seems to occur on every start. I suspect it is the starter. Am I correct? Could it be that it is not disengaging properly? How long before it fails and I need to replace it? Could it be something else?

Robert

 

[rand49er]

I have an 04 CTS-V. Over this winter when it was very cold (<25F) and sitting in the open garage during the day, I would noticed a screeching noise when the car was started that lasted for a few seconds. When it was warmer outside and/or in the garage at home the noise did not occur. Now it seems to occur on every start. I suspect it is the starter. Am I correct? Could it be that it is not disengaging properly? How long before it fails and I need to replace it? Could it be something else?

Robert

Twenty five degrees? I can hardly wait to see that temperature again.

"Screeching noise." My first guess (<-- and I use that word purposely) would be your serpentine belt trying to get one of the accessories to spin. Could it be your steering pump or A/C compressor or something else?

Try to find a willing soul to do that first start up while you're looking under the hood and try to pinpoint where the sound is coming from.

Other guys here might have a far better suggestion than this.

 

[darkman]

If you are running the oem power steering fluid there is good chance that is the cause. The remedy is to run a synthetic blend power steering fluid, which has the lower cold temperature viscosity. GM makes a Cold Climate power steering fluid for this purpose. You need not switch back and forth since the synthetic fluid also handles heat better than the stock fluid or other non-synthetic power steering fluids.

 

[WesH8398]

I had this happen a few years ago, and Darkman led me to the same suggestion he made above. He was bang on. I siphoned out as much of the old PS fluid as I could (just from the reservoir), and replaced it with GM's "cold climate" fluid. I've never heard that god awful sound again... including these last few weeks when it's been consistently below zero degrees (F) with windchills much colder.

 

[robertb]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try the cold climate power steering fluid. Is it necessary to drain all the other fluid first, or can I just empty the reservoir and add the cold climate fluid?

 

[darkman]

In theory, you should drain and refill. In actual practice you can empty and refill the reservoir with the caveat that you may have to do that more than once, separated by some driving or run time, in order to make it quiet.

 

[robertb]

Thanks darkman. Will do.

 

[WarrenMRogers]

Thanks darkman. Will do.

I did the same. I siphoned out as much as I could of the ps fluid with the same pump I used for my differential. Filled with cold weather fluid and it has been quiet ever since. Even in this below zero crap in southern Indiana.

I was told to run ut for awhile and change it again but I haven't yet. I believe I used 1 quart of Royal Purple synthetic that was in stock at AutoZone for about six bucks? I bought two just in case, so I still have one in the garage.