Starter Grind On Cold Start

I have an 08 4.0 v6 Tacoma with 180k on it. This week I replaced the serpentine belt and as soon as I did that it seemed that my starter has been slightly struggling when starting the truck cold first thing in the morning. After a couple days when I start it first thing the starter will grind almost as if it’s not 100% releasing back from the ring gear. Only grinds for a second or split second. So thinking it’s the starter I swapped it with a new one and still the same thing. When it’s warmed up or even if I turn it right off and try it again it won’t do it. Also I feel like it has nothing to do with the belt replacement as well. Just seems to be weird timing. Any help on where to go from here!

 

Take a look at the electrical connections on either end of the starter wires. The factory harness tends to let a lot of corrosion and crud build up due to the stamped connectors on the wiring harness. It may be as simple as cleaning them up or replacing them.

Marginal electrical connections can do all kinds of weird stuff.

 

maybe not starter, but timing chain or vvt rattle, usually only on a cold first start of the day